Materials and methods utilizing biotin producing mutant hosts for the production of 7-carbon chemicals

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are methods for regulating biosynthesis of at least one of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanoland 1,7-heptanediol (C7 building blocks) using a pathway having a pimeloyl-ACP intermediate, the method including the step of downregulating the activity of BioF. Also disclosed are recombinant hosts by fermentation in which the above methods are performed. Further disclosed are recombinant hosts for producing pimeloyl-ACP, the recombinant host including a deletion of a bioF gene.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/366,565, filed on Jul. 25, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

SEQUENCE LISTING

The instant application contains a Sequence Listing which has been submitted electronically in ASCII format and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Said ASCII copy, created on Jul. 24, 2017, is named 12444_0684-00000_SL.txt and is 111,836 bytes in size.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to methods for regulating biosynthesis of at least one seven carbon compounds. This disclosure relates to materials and methods for regulating biosynthesis of at least one of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanoland 1,7-heptanediol (hereafter “C7 building blocks”) using a pathway having a pimelyl-ACP intermediate. The methods include the step of downregulating the activity of BioF, an 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase. The disclosure also relates to recombinant hosts by fermentation in which the above-mentioned method is performed. Also disclosed are pimeloyl-ACP producing recombinant hosts that include a deletion of a bioF gene.

Nylons are synthetic polyamides which are sometimes synthesized by the condensation polymerisation of a diamine with a dicarboxylic acid. Similarly, Nylons may be produced by the condensation polymerisation of lactams. A ubiquitous Nylon is Nylon 6,6, which is produced by reaction of hexamethylenediamine (HMD) and adipic acid. Nylon 6 is produced by a ring opening polymerisation of caprolactam (Anton & Baird, Polyamides Fibers, Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, 2001).

Nylon 7 and Nylon 7,7 represent novel polyamides with value-added characteristics compared to Nylon 6 and Nylon 6,6. Nylon 7 is produced by polymerisation of 7-aminoheptanoic acid, whereas Nylon 7,7 is produced by condensation polymerisation of pimelic acid and heptamethylenediamine. No economically viable petrochemical routes exist to producing the monomers for Nylon 7 and Nylon 7,7.

Given no economically cost competitive petrochemical monomer feedstocks, biotechnology offers an alternative approach via biocatalysis. Biocatalysis is the use of biological catalysts, such as enzymes, to perform biochemical transformations of organic compounds.

Both bioderived feedstocks and petrochemical feedstocks are viable starting materials for the biocatalysis processes.

However, no wild-type prokaryote or eukaryote naturally overproduces or excretes C7 building blocks to the extracellular environment. Nevertheless, the metabolism of pimelic acid has been reported.

The dicarboxylic acid, pimelic acid, is converted efficiently as a carbon source by a number of bacteria and yeasts via β-oxidation into central metabolites. β-oxidation of CoEnzyme A (CoA) activated pimelate to CoA-activated 3-oxopimelate facilitates further catabolism via, for example, pathways associated with aromatic substrate degradation. The catabolism of 3-oxopimeloyl-CoA to acetyl-CoA and glutaryl-CoA by several bacteria has been characterized comprehensively (Harwood and Parales, Annual Review of Microbiology, 1996, 50, 553-590).

The optimality principle states that microorganisms regulate their biochemical networks to support maximum biomass growth. Beyond the need to express heterologous pathways in a host organism, directing carbon flux towards C7 building blocks that serve as carbon sources rather than to biomass growth constituents, contradicts the optimality principle. For example, transferring the 1-butanol pathway from Clostridium species into other production strains has often fallen short by an order of magnitude compared to the production performance of native producers (Shen et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 2011, 77(9), 2905-2915).

The efficient synthesis of the C7 aliphatic backbone precursor is a key consideration in synthesizing C7 building blocks prior to forming terminal functional groups, such as carboxyl, amine or hydroxyl groups, on the C7 aliphatic backbone. Accordingly, against this background, it is clear that there is a need for methods for producing pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid, 7-aminoheptanol and 1,7-heptanediol (hereafter “C7 building blocks”) wherein the methods are biocatalyst-based.

SUMMARY

Described herein are methods and genetically modified hosts that allow for more efficient use of seven carbon aliphatic backbone precursors and production of C7 building blocks, for example, by use of a recombinant host in a bioF deficient background.

The present disclosure relates to regulating biosynthesis for certain seven-carbon building blocks (“C7 building blocks”) by downregulating the activity of a BioF. In one embodiment, downregulating the activity of BioF comprises downregulating the expression of a BioF protein. In another embodiment, downregulating the activity of BioF comprises downregulating the activity of the protein itself. The pathway for producing the C7 building blocks has a pimelyl-ACP intermediate. The C7 building blocks may include, for example, pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate (“7-AHA”), 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol and 1,7-heptanediol.

In some embodiments, the biochemical pathways for the production of 7-AHA currently being pursued are based on the production of pimelic acid, followed by the conversion of pimelic acid to 7-AHA. See FIG. 1. For example, E. coli may act as a host for the pathways producing pimelic acid its subsequent conversion to 7-AHA.

Pimeloyl-ACP, or pimelyl-ACP, is an intermediate of the biotin pathway in host, such as E. coli. For example, some methods in this disclosure for producing pimelic acid in E. coli are focused on metabolic engineering approaches, such as increasing the flux through this pathway, and the effective interception of the pimelic acid intermediate. See FIG. 1.

Pimelic acid and pimelate, 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid and 7-hydroxyheptanoate, and 7-aminoheptanoic acid and 7-aminoheptanoate are used interchangeably herein to refer to the compound in any of its neutral or ionized forms, including any salt forms thereof. It is understood by those skilled in the art that the specific form will depend on pH. These pathways, metabolic engineering and cultivation strategies described herein rely on fatty acid elongation and synthesis enzymes or homologs accepting methyl-ester shielded dicarboxylic acids as substrates.

For compounds containing carboxylic acid groups such as organic monoacids, hydroxyacids, aminoacids and dicarboxylic acids, these compounds may be formed or converted to their ionic salt form when an acidic proton present in the parent compound either is replaced by a metal ion, e.g., an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth ion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with an organic base. Acceptable organic bases include ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, N-methylglucamine, and the like. Acceptable inorganic bases include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and the like. The salt can be isolated as is from the system as the salt or converted to the free acid by reducing the pH to below the pKa through addition of acid or treatment with an acidic ion exchange resin.

For compounds containing amine groups such as but not limited to organic amines, aminoacids and diamine, these compounds may be formed or converted to their ionic salt form by addition of an acidic proton to the amine to form the ammonium salt, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like; or formed with organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-methylbicyclo-[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid, glucoheptonic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis-β-hydroxy-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid), 3-phenylpropionic acid, trimethylacetic acid, tertiary butylacetic acid, lauryl sulfuric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid or muconic acid. Acceptable inorganic bases are known in the art and include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and the like. The salt can be isolated as is from the system as a salt or converted to the free amine by raising the pH to above the pKb through addition of base or treatment with a basic ion exchange resin.

For compounds containing both amine groups and carboxylic acid groups such as but not limited to aminoacids, these compounds may be formed or converted to their ionic salt form by either 1) acid addition salts, formed with inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and the like; or formed with organic acids such as acetic acid, propionic acid, hexanoic acid, cyclopentanepropionic acid, glycolic acid, pyruvic acid, lactic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, 3-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, cinnamic acid, mandelic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, 1,2-ethanedisulfonic acid, 2-hydroxyethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, 2-naphthalenesulfonic acid, 4-methylbicyclo-[2.2.2]oct-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid, glucoheptonic acid, 4,4′-methylenebis-β-hydroxy-2-ene-1-carboxylic acid), 3-phenylpropionic acid, trimethylacetic acid, tertiary butylacetic acid, lauryl sulfuric acid, gluconic acid, glutamic acid, hydroxynaphthoic acid, salicylic acid, stearic acid, muconic acid Acceptable inorganic bases include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and the like or 2) when an acidic proton present in the parent compound either is replaced by a metal ion, e.g., an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth ion, or an aluminum ion; or coordinates with an organic base. Acceptable organic bases are known in the art and include ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, tromethamine, N-methylglucamine, and the like. Acceptable inorganic bases are known in the art and include aluminum hydroxide, calcium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, and the like. The salt can be isolated as is from the system or converted to the free acid by reducing the pH to below the pKa through addition of acid or treatment with an acidic ion exchange resin.

In the face of the optimality principle, it surprisingly has been discovered that appropriate non-natural pathways, feedstocks, host microorganisms, attenuation strategies to the host's biochemical network and cultivation strategies may be combined to efficiently produce one or more C7 building blocks. It has also been discovered that the pathway having pimelyl-ACP as intermediate can be regulated by downregulating the activity BioF. The BioF is ACP-dependent enzyme. It converts, for example, the pimeloyl-ACP to 8-amino-7-oxononanoic acid. The BioF is a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23.

In some embodiments, a terminal amine group can be enzymatically formed using a co-transaminase or a deacetylase. See FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A-6C.

In some embodiments, a terminal hydroxyl group can be enzymatically formed using a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase or a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase or an alcohol dehydrogenase. See FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

In one aspect, this disclosure features a method for biosynthesizing a product selected from the group consisting of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol and 1,7-heptanediol. The method includes enzymatically synthesizing a C7 aliphatic backbone from (i) acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA via two cycles of methyl ester shielded carbon chain elongation or (ii) malonyl-ACP via two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation, and enzymatically forming one or two terminal functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, amine, and hydroxyl groups in the backbone, thereby forming the product.

The present disclosure relates to a method for regulating biosynthesis of at least one C7 building block using a pathway having a pimelyl-ACP intermediate. The method may comprise the step of downregulating the activity of BioF.

The at least one C7 building block is selected from the group consisting of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol and 1,7-heptanediol.

In some embodiments, the step of downregulating the activity of BioF may comprise reducing the activity to a level below that of a wild type BioF, for example, reducing the activity to zero. In one embodiment, downregulating the activity of BioF comprises downregulating the expression of BioF protein. In another embodiment, downregulating the activity of BioF comprises downregulating the activity of the protein itself.

In some embodiments, the method for regulating biosynthesis of at least one C7 building block may further comprise the step of overexpressing BioW and a CoA-specific BioF. BioW enzymatically converts pimelic acid to pimeloyl-CoA. The BioW is a pimeloyl-CoA ligase having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18.

CoA-specific BioF enzymatically converts pimeloyl-CoA to 8-amino-7-oxo-nonanoic acid.

The above-mentioned CoA-specific BioF is a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19.

The above-mentioned pathway comprises enzymatically synthesizing a C7 aliphatic backbone from malonyl-ACP via two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation, and enzymatically forming two terminal functional groups selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, amine, and hydroxyl groups in said backbone, thereby forming the C7 building block.

A S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase, or BioC, converts malonyl-ACP to malonyl-ACP methyl ester. The S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase has at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 20.

The C7 aliphatic backbone can be pimeloyl-ACP. A malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase can convert malonyl-CoA to a malonyl-CoA methyl ester or can convert malonyl-ACP to a malonyl-ACP methyl ester. Each of the two cycles of carbon chain elongation can include using (i) a β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase or a β-ketothiolase, (ii) a 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, an acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase or a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, (iii) an enoyl-CoA hydratase or a 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, and (iv) an enoyl-ACP reductase. Or the two cycles of carbon chain elongation may involve a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase to produce pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester from malonyl-ACP methyl ester.

The two terminal functional groups can be the same (e.g., amine or hydroxyl) or can be different (e.g., a terminal amine and a terminal carboxyl group; or a terminal hydroxyl group and a terminal carboxyl group). For example, the two terminal functional groups can be both amine, or the two terminal functional groups can be both hydroxyl groups. In other embodiments, the C7 building block may comprise a terminal amine and a terminal carboxyl group, or the C7 building block may comprise a terminal hydroxyl group and a terminal carboxyl group.

A 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase, a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydratase, or an alcohol dehydrogenase can enzymatically form a hydroxyl group.

A thioesterase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a 7-oxoheptanoate dehydrogenase, a 6-oxohexanoate dehydrogenase, a CoA-transferase (e.g. a glutaconate CoA transferase), or a reversible CoA-ligase (e.g., a reversible succinate-CoA ligase) can enzymatically form a terminal carboxyl group.

The thioesterase (“TE”) can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 1.

A ω-transaminase or a deacetylase can enzymatically form an amine group. The ω-transaminase can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology to any one of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO. 8-13.

A carboxylate reductase (“CAR”) and a phosphopantetheinyl transferase can form a terminal aldehyde group as an intermediate in forming the product. The carboxylate reductase can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology to any one of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NO. 2-7.

Any of the methods can be performed in a recombinant host by fermentation. The host can be subjected to a cultivation strategy under aerobic, anaerobic, micro-aerobic or mixed oxygen/denitrification cultivation conditions. The host can be cultured under conditions of nutrient limitation. The host can be retained using a ceramic hollow fiber membrane to maintain a high cell density during fermentation.

The principal carbon source fed to the fermentation can derive from biological or non-biological feedstocks. In some embodiments, the biological feedstock is, includes, or derives from, at least one chosen from monosaccharides, disaccharides, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, levulinic acid and formic acid, triglycerides, glycerol, fatty acids, agricultural waste, condensed distillers' solubles, or municipal waste.

In some embodiments, the non-biological feedstock is, or derives from, at least one chosen from natural gas, syngas, CO₂/H₂, methanol, ethanol, benzoate, non-volatile residue (NVR) or a caustic wash waste stream from cyclohexane oxidation processes, or a terephthalic acid/isophthalic acid mixture waste stream.

The recombinant host can be a prokaryote, e.g., from the genus Escherichia such as Escherichia coli; from the genus Clostridia such as Clostridium ljungdahlii, Clostridium autoethanogenum or Clostridium kluyveri; from the genus Corynebacteria such as Corynebacterium glutamicum; from the genus Cupriavidus such as Cupriavidus necator or Cupriavidus metallidurans; from the genus Pseudomonas such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida or Pseudomonas oleavorans; from the genus Delftia acidovorans, from the genus Bacillus such as Bacillus subtillis; from the genes Lactobacillus such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii; from the genus Lactococcus such as Lactococcus lactis or from the genus Rhodococcus such as Rhodococcus equi.

The recombinant host can be a eukaryote, e.g., a eukaryote from the genus Aspergillus such as Aspergillus niger; from the genus Saccharomyces such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae; from the genus Pichia such as Pichia pastoris; from the genus Yarrowia such as Yarrowia lipolytica, from the genus Issatchenkia such as Issathenkia orientalis, from the genus Debaryomyces such as Debaryomyces hansenii, from the genus Arxula such as Arxula adenoinivorans, or from the genus Kluyveromyces such as Kluyveromyces lactis.

In any of the methods, the host's tolerance to high concentrations of at least one C7 building block can be improved through continuous cultivation in a selective environment.

Any of the recombinant hosts described herein further can include one or more of the following attenuated enzymes: polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, an acetyl-CoA thioesterase, an acetyl-CoA specific β-ketothiolase, a phosphotransacetylase forming acetate, an acetate kinase, a lactate dehydrogenase, a menaquinol-fumarate oxidoreductase, a 2-oxoacid decarboxylase producing isobutanol, an alcohol dehydrogenase forming ethanol, a triose phosphate isomerase, a pyruvate decarboxylase, a glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, a transhydrogenase dissipating the NADH or NADPH imbalance, an glutamate dehydrogenase dissipating the NADH or NADPH imbalance, a NADH/NADPH-utilizing glutamate dehydrogenase, a pimeloyl-CoA dehydrogenase; an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase accepting C7 building blocks and central precursors as substrates; a glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase; or a pimeloyl-CoA synthetase.

Any of the recombinant hosts described herein further can overexpress one or more genes encoding: an acetyl-CoA synthetase, a 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase; a transketolase; a puridine nucleotide transhydrogenase; a formate dehydrogenase; a glyceraldehyde-3P-dehydrogenase; a malic enzyme; a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; a fructose 1,6 diphosphatase; a L-alanine dehydrogenase; a L-glutamate dehydrogenase specific to the NADH or NADPH used to generate a co-factor imbalance; a methanol dehydrogenase, a formaldehyde dehydrogenase, a diamine transporter; a dicarboxylate transporter; an S-adenosylmethionine synthetase, and/or a multidrug transporter.

The disclosure also relates to a recombinant host for producing for pimeloyl-ACP. The recombinant host may comprise a deletion of a bioF gene. In some embodiments, the recombinant host expresses BioF activity at a level below that of a wild type. In some embodiments, the recombinant host does not express BioF activity.

In some embodiments, the recombinant host comprises at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding bioW and a CoA-specific bioF.

Also disclosed herein is a non-naturally occurring organism comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding at least one polypeptide having the activity of at least one enzyme depicted in any one of FIGS. 1 to 21.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 23.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having thioesterase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having thioesterase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 21; and (c) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 22.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having carboxylate reductase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having carboxylate reductase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3; (c) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4; (d) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5; (e) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6; and (f) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 7.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ω-transaminase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having ω-transaminase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8; (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 9; (c) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10 (d) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 11; (e) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 12; and (f) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 13.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphopantetheinyl transferase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having phosphopantetheinyl transferase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14 and (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 15.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 17.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 18.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 19.

In some embodiments, a nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprises a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 20.

In some embodiments, a composition comprises any of the above-described nucleic acid construct or expression vector.

Also disclosed is a non-naturally occurring biochemical network comprising a 5-hydroxypentanoyl-CoA, an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having the activity of a β-ketothiolase classified under EC. 2.3.1, and a 3-oxo-7-hydroxyheptanoyl-CoA.

In some embodiments, a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived product comprises:

i. a composition comprising at least one bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound produced or biosynthesized according to any one of claims 1-75 or any one of FIGS. 1-21, or any combination thereof;

ii. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition or compound of i., or any combination thereof;

iii. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound or bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition of i. or any combination thereof or the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of ii. or any combination thereof;

iv. a molded substance obtained by molding the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of ii. or the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin of iii., or any combination thereof;

v. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived formulation comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin of iii., or bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived molded substance of iv, or any combination thereof; or

vi. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived semi-solid or a non-semi-solid stream, comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of ii., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin of iii., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived formulation of v., or bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived molded substance of iv., or any combination thereof.

The reactions of the pathways described herein can be performed in one or more cell (e.g., host cell) strains (a) naturally expressing one or more relevant enzymes, (b) genetically engineered to express one or more relevant enzymes, or (c) naturally expressing one or more relevant enzymes and genetically engineered to express one or more relevant enzymes. Alternatively, relevant enzymes can be extracted from any of the above types of host cells and used in a purified or semi-purified form. Extracted enzymes can optionally be immobilized to a solid substrate such as the floors and/or walls of appropriate reaction vessels. Moreover, such extracts include lysates (e.g. cell lysates) that can be used as sources of relevant enzymes. In the methods provided by the disclosure, all the steps can be performed in cells (e.g., host cells), all the steps can be performed using extracted enzymes, or some of the steps can be performed in cells and others can be performed using extracted enzymes.

Many of the enzymes described herein catalyze reversible reactions, and the reaction of interest may be the reverse of the described reaction. The schematic pathways shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-8 illustrate the reaction of interest for each of the intermediates.

The disclosure also provides the following additional embodiments:

Embodiment 1. A method for regulating biosynthesis of at least one C7 building block using a pathway having a pimeloyl-ACP intermediate, said method comprising the step of downregulating the activity of a BioF enzyme.

Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the BioF has at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 23.

Embodiment 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the at least one C7 building block is selected from the group consisting of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol and 1,7-heptanediol.

Embodiment 4. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of downregulating the activity of BioF comprises reducing the activity to a level below that of a wild type BioF protein.

Embodiment 5. The method of embodiment 1, wherein the step of downregulating the activity of BioF comprises reducing the activity to zero.

Embodiment 6. A method for regulating biosynthesis of at least one C7 building block using a pathway having a pimeloyl-ACP intermediate, said method comprising

the step of downregulating the activity of BioF; and

the step of overexpressing BioW and a CoA-specific BioF.

Embodiment 7. The method of embodiment 6, wherein said BioW enzymatically converts pimelic acid to pimeloyl-CoA.

Embodiment 8. The method of embodiment 6 or 7, wherein said BioW is a pimeloyl-CoA ligase having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 14.

Embodiment 9. The method of any one of embodiments 6-8, wherein CoA-specific BioF enzymatically converts pimeloyl-CoA to 8-amino-7-oxo-nonanoic acid.

Embodiment 10. The method of any one of embodiments 6-9, wherein said CoA-specific BioF is a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 15.

Embodiment 11. The method of embodiment 1, wherein said pathway comprises enzymatically synthesizing a C7 aliphatic backbone from malonyl-ACP via two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation, and enzymatically forming two terminal functional groups independently selected from the group consisting of carboxyl, amine, and hydroxyl groups in said backbone, thereby forming the C7 building block.

Embodiment 12. The method of embodiment 11, wherein a S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase converts malonyl-ACP to malonyl-ACP methyl ester.

Embodiment 13. The method of embodiment 11, wherein the S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase has at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 16.

Embodiment 14. The method of embodiment 10, wherein each of said two cycles of carbon chain elongation comprises using (i) a β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, (ii) a 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, (iii) a 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, and (iv) an enoyl-ACP reductase.

Embodiment 15. The method of embodiment 10, wherein said two cycles of carbon chain elongation produce pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester from malonyl-ACP methyl ester using a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase.

Embodiment 16. The method of any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein said two terminal functional groups are the same.

Embodiment 17. The method of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein said two terminal functional groups are amine.

Embodiment 18. The method of any one of embodiments 1-16, wherein said two terminal functional groups are hydroxyl groups.

Embodiment 19. The method of any one of embodiments 1-15, wherein said two terminal functional groups are different.

Embodiment 20. The method of any one of embodiments 1-15 and 19, wherein said at least one C7 building block comprises a terminal amine and a terminal carboxyl group.

Embodiment 21. The method of any one of embodiments 1-15 and 19, wherein said at least one C7 building block comprises a terminal hydroxyl group and a terminal carboxyl group.

Embodiment 22. The method of any one of embodiments 1-21, wherein the hydroxyl group is enzymatically formed by a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase, a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydratase, or an alcohol dehydrogenase.

Embodiment 23. The method of any one of embodiments 1-22, wherein the carboxyl group is enzymatically formed by a thioesterase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a 7-oxoheptanoate dehydrogenase, a 6-oxohexanoate dehydrogenase, a glutaconate CoA-transferase, or a reversible succinyl-CoA ligase.

Embodiment 24. The method of embodiment 23, wherein said thioesterase has at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 21 or 22.

Embodiment 25. The method of any one of embodiments 1-24, wherein the amine group is enzymatically formed by a ω-transaminase or a deacetylase.

Embodiment 26. The method of embodiment 25, wherein said ω-transaminase has at least 70% sequence identity or homology to any one of the amino acid sequences set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 8-13.

Embodiment 27. The method of any one of embodiments 1-26, wherein an intermediate (in forming the at least one product) with a terminal aldehyde group is formed by a carboxylate reductase and enhanced by a phosphopantetheinyl transferase.

Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 27, wherein said carboxylate reductase has at least 70% sequence identity or homology to any one of the amino acid sequences set forth in any of SEQ ID NOs: 2-7.

Embodiment 29. The method of any of the preceding embodiments, wherein said method is performed in a recombinant host by fermentation.

Embodiment 30. The method of embodiment 29, wherein said recombinant host is subjected to a cultivation condition under aerobic, anaerobic, micro-aerobic or mixed oxygen/denitrification cultivation conditions.

Embodiment 31. The method of embodiment 29 or embodiment 30, wherein said recombinant host is cultured under conditions of nutrient limitation.

Embodiment 32. The method according to any one of embodiments 29-31, wherein said recombinant host is retained using a ceramic hollow fiber membrane to maintain a high cell density during fermentation.

Embodiment 33. The method of any one of embodiments 29-32, wherein the principal carbon source fed to the fermentation derives from biological or non-biological feedstocks.

Embodiment 34. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the biological feedstock is, or derives from, at least one chosen from monosaccharides, disaccharides, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, levulinic acid, formic acid, triglycerides, glycerol, fatty acids, agricultural waste, condensed distillers' solubles, or municipal waste.

Embodiment 35. The method of embodiment 33, wherein the non-biological feedstock is, or derives from, at least one chosen from natural gas, syngas, CO₂/H₂, methanol, ethanol, benzoate, non-volatile residue (NVR) caustic wash waste stream from cyclohexane oxidation processes, or terephthalic acid/isophthalic acid mixture waste streams.

Embodiment 36. The method of any one of embodiments 29-35, wherein the recombinant host is a prokaryote.

Embodiment 37. The method of embodiment 36, wherein said prokaryote is chosen from the genii Escherichia, Clostridia, Corynebacteria, Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Delftia acidovorans, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, or Rhodococcus.

Embodiment 38. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Escherichia coli.

Embodiment 39. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Clostridium ljungdahlii, Clostridium autoethanogenum, or Clostridium kluyveri.

Embodiment 40. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Corynebacterium glutamicum.

Embodiment 41. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Cupriavidus necator or Cupriavidus metallidurans.

Embodiment 42. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida or Pseudomonas oleavorans.

Embodiment 43. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Bacillus subtillis.

Embodiment 44. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Lactobacillus delbrueckii.

Embodiment 45. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Lactococcus lactis.

Embodiment 46. The method of embodiment 37, wherein said prokaryote is Rhodococcus equi.

Embodiment 47. The method of any one of embodiments 29-35, wherein the host is a eukaryote.

Embodiment 48. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is from the genii Aspergillus, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Yarrowia, Issatchenkia, Debaryomyces, Arxula, or Kluyveromyces.

Embodiment 49. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Aspergillus niger.

Embodiment 50. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Embodiment 51. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Pichia pastoris.

Embodiment 52. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Yarrowia lipolytica.

Embodiment 53. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Issathenkia orientalis.

Embodiment 54. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Debaryomyces hansenii.

Embodiment 55. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Arxula adenoinivorans.

Embodiment 56. The method of embodiment 47, wherein said eukaryote is Kluyveromyces lactis.

Embodiment 57. The method of embodiment 29, wherein the recombinant host's tolerance to high concentrations of at least one C7 building block is improved through continuous cultivation in a selective environment.

Embodiment 58. The method of any one of embodiments 29-57, wherein said recombinant host comprises one or more of attenuated enzymes chosen from polyhydroxyalkanoate synthase, an acetyl-CoA thioesterase, an acetyl-CoA specific β-ketothiolase, a phosphotransacetylase forming acetate, an acetate kinase, a lactate dehydrogenase, a menaquinol-fumarate oxidoreductase, a 2-oxoacid decarboxylase producing isobutanol, an alcohol dehydrogenase forming ethanol, a triose phosphate isomerase, a pyruvate decarboxylase, a glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, a transhydrogenase dissipating the NADH or NADPH imbalance, an glutamate dehydrogenase dissipating the NADH or NADPH imbalance, a NADH/NADPH-utilizing glutamate dehydrogenase, a pimeloyl-CoA dehydrogenase; an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase accepting C7 building blocks and central precursors as substrates; a glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase; or a pimeloyl-CoA synthetase.

Embodiment 59. The method of any one of embodiments 29-58, wherein said recombinant host overexpresses one or more genes encoding an acetyl-CoA synthetase, a 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase; a transketolase; a puridine nucleotide transhydrogenase; a formate dehydrogenase; a glyceraldehyde-3P-dehydrogenase; a malic enzyme; a glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase; a fructose 1,6 diphosphatase; a L-alanine dehydrogenase; a L-glutamate dehydrogenase specific to the NADH or NADPH used to generate a co-factor imbalance; a methanol dehydrogenase, a formaldehyde dehydrogenase, a diamine transporter; a dicarboxylate transporter; an S-adenosylmethionine synthetase and/or a multidrug transporter.

Embodiment 60. A recombinant host for producing for pimeloyl-ACP, said recombinant host comprising a deletion of a bioF gene.

Embodiment 61. A recombinant host for producing for pimeloyl-ACP, wherein said recombinant host expresses a BioF at a level below that of a wild type host.

Embodiment 62. The recombinant host of embodiment 1, wherein said recombinant host does not express BioF activity.

Embodiment 63. The recombinant host of embodiment [47], wherein said recombinant host comprises at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding bioW and a CoA-specific bioF.

Embodiment 64. A non-naturally occurring organism comprising at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding at least one polypeptide having the activity of at least one enzyme depicted in any one of FIGS. 1 to 21.

Embodiment 65. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 23.

Embodiment 66. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having thioesterase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having thioesterase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 1; (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 21; and (c) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 22.

Embodiment 67. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having carboxylate reductase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having carboxylate reductase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 2; (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 3; (c) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 4; (d) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 5; (e) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 6; and (f) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 7.

Embodiment 68. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having ω-transaminase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having ω-transaminase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 8; (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 9; (c) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 10 (d) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 11; (e) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 12; and (f) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 13.

Embodiment 69. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having phosphopantetheinyl transferase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having phosphopantetheinyl transferase activity is selected from the group consisting of: (a) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 14 and (b) a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 15.

Embodiment 70. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 17.

Embodiment 71. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 18.

Embodiment 72. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 19.

Embodiment 73. A nucleic acid construct or expression vector comprising a polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide having malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase activity, wherein the polynucleotide is operably linked to one or more heterologous control sequences that direct production of the polypeptide and wherein the polypeptide having malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase activity is a polypeptide having at least 70% sequence identity or homology to the polypeptide of SEQ ID NO: 20.

Embodiment 74. A composition comprising the nucleic acid construct or expression vector of any one of embodiments 65-73.

Embodiment 75. A non-naturally occurring biochemical network comprising a 5-hydroxypentanoyl-CoA, an exogenous nucleic acid encoding a polypeptide having the activity of a β-ketothiolase classified under EC. 2.3.1, and a 3-oxo-7-hydroxyheptanoyl-CoA.

Embodiment 76. A bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived product, wherein said product comprises:

i. a composition comprising at least one bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound produced or biosynthesized according to any one of embodiments 1-75 or any one of FIGS. 1-21, or any combination thereof;

ii. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition or compound of i., or any combination thereof;

iii. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound or bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition of i. or any combination thereof or the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of ii. or any combination thereof;

iv. a molded substance obtained by molding the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of ii. or the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin of iii., or any combination thereof;

v. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived formulation comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin of iii., or bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived molded substance of iv, or any combination thereof; or

vi. a bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived semi-solid or a non-semi-solid stream, comprising the bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived composition of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived compound of i., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived polymer of ii., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived resin of iii., bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived formulation of v., or bio-derived, bio-based or fermentation-derived molded substance of iv., or any combination thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

The details of one or more embodiments of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent from the description and the drawings, and from the claims. The word “comprising” in the claims may be replaced by “consisting essentially of” or with “consisting of,” according to standard practice in patent law.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary biotin biosynthesis in E. coli through intermediates 8-amino-7-oxononanoate (KAPA) and 7,8-diaminopelargonic acid (DAPA), and the regulation of the biosynthesis to divert pimelic acid for 7-AHA production.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of exemplary biochemical pathways leading to 8-amino-7-oxononanoate (KAPA) starting from pimelic acid.

FIG. 3 is a schematic of an exemplary biochemical pathway leading to pimelic acid from malonyl-ACP through two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation.

FIG. 4 illustrates the constructs for expression of pathway for conversion of pimelic acid to 7-AHA in the ΔbioF E. coli strain.

FIG. 5 is a schematic of exemplary biochemical pathways leading to 7-aminoheptanoate using pimelate or pimelate semialdehyde as precursors.

FIGS. 6A-6C are schematics of exemplary biochemical pathways leading to heptamethylenediamine using 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate or pimelate semialdehyde as central precursors.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of exemplary biochemical pathways leading to 7-hydroxyheptanoate using pimelate, pimeloyl-CoA, or pimelate semialdehyde as precursors.

FIG. 8 is a schematic of an exemplary biochemical pathway leading to 1,7-heptanediol using 7-hydroxyheptanoate as a precursor.

FIGS. 9A-9D contain the amino acid sequences of an Escherichia coli thioesterase encoded by tesB (see GenBank Accession No. AAA24665.1, SEQ ID NO: 1), a Mycobacterium marinum carboxylate reductase (see Genbank Accession No. ACC40567.1, SEQ ID NO: 2), a Mycobacterium smegmatis carboxylate reductase (see Genbank Accession No. ABK71854.1, SEQ ID NO: 3), a Segnihparus rugosus carboxylate reductase (see Genbank Accession No. EFV11917.1, SEQ ID NO: 4), a Mycobacterium smegmatis carboxylate reductase (see Genbank Accession No. ABK75684.1, SEQ ID NO: 5), a Mycobacterium massiliense carboxylate reductase (see Genbank Accession No. EIV11143.1, SEQ ID NO: 6), a Segnihparus rotundus carboxylate reductase (see Genbank Accession No. ADG98140.1, SEQ ID NO: 7), a Chromobacterium violaceum ω-transaminase (see Genbank Accession No. AAQ59697.1, SEQ ID NO: 8), a Pseudomonas aeruginosa ω-transaminase (see Genbank Accession No. AAG08191.1, SEQ ID NO: 9), a Pseudomonas syringae ω-transaminase (see Genbank Accession No. AAY39893.1, SEQ ID NO: 10), a Rhodobacter sphaeroides ω-transaminase (see Genbank Accession No. ABA81135.1, SEQ ID NO: 11), an Escherichia coli ω-transaminase (see RefSeq Accession No. NP 417544.5, SEQ ID NO: 12), a Vibrio fluvialis ω-transaminase (see Genbank Accession No. AEA39183.1, SEQ ID NO: 13), a Bacillus subtilis phosphopantetheinyl transferase (see RefSeq Accession No. WP 003234549.1, SEQ ID NO:14), a Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646 phosphopantetheinyl transferase (see Genbank Accession No. ABI83656.1, SEQ ID NO:15), a Bacillus cereus malonyl-CoA methyltransferase (see GenBank Accession No. AAS43086.1, SEQ ID NO: 16), an Escherichia coli pimelyl-ACP methyl ester esterase (see GenBank Accession No. AAC76437.1, SEQ ID NO:17), a 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase (BioW) (EC:6.2.1.14, see GenBank Accession No. AAB17457.1, SEQ ID NO:18), a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (BioF) (EC:2.3.1.47, see GenBank Accession No. AAB17459.1, SEQ ID NO: 19), a SAM-dependent malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferas (BioC) (EC:2.1.1.197, see RefSeq Accession No. NP 415298.1, SEQ ID NO:20), a thioesterase encoded by tesA orfatB (see GenBank Accession No. ABJ63754.1, SEQ ID NO:21; see GenBank Accession No. CCC78182.1, SEQ ID NO:22), and a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (BioF, or ACP-dependent BioF) (EC:2.3.1.47, see GenBank Accession No. AAA23516.1, SEQ ID NO: 23).

FIG. 10 is a bar graph summarizing the change in absorbance at 340 nm after 20 minutes, which is a measure of the consumption of NADPH and activity of carboxylate reductases relative to the enzyme only controls (no substrate).

FIG. 11 is a bar graph of the change in absorbance at 340 nm after 20 minutes, which is a measure of the consumption of NADPH and the activity of carboxylate reductases for converting pimelate to pimelate semialdehyde relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 12 is a bar graph of the change in absorbance at 340 nm after 20 minutes, which is a measure of the consumption of NADPH and the activity of carboxylate reductases for converting 7-hydroxyheptanoate to 7-hydroxyheptanal relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 13 is a bar graph of the change in absorbance at 340 nm after 20 minutes, which is a measure of the consumption of NADPH and the activity of carboxylate reductases for converting N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate to N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 14 is a bar graph of the change in absorbance at 340 nm after 20 minutes, which is a measure of the consumption of NADPH and activity of carboxylate reductases for converting pimelate semialdehyde to heptanedial relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 15 is a bar graph summarizing the percent conversion after 4 hours of pyruvate to L-alanine (mol/mol) as a measure of the ω-transaminase activity of the enzyme only controls (no substrate).

FIG. 16 is a bar graph of the percent conversion after 4 hours of pyruvate to L-alanine (mol/mol) as a measure of the ω-transaminase activity for converting 7-aminoheptanoate to pimelate semialdehyde relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 17 is a bar graph of the percent conversion after 4 hours of L-alanine to pyruvate (mol/mol) as a measure of the ω-transaminase activity for converting pimelate semialdehyde to 7-aminoheptanoate relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 18 is a bar graph of the percent conversion after 4 hours of pyruvate to L-alanine (mol/mol) as a measure of the ω-transaminase activity for converting heptamethylenediamine to 7-aminoheptanal relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 19 is a bar graph of the percent conversion after 4 hours of pyruvate to L-alanine (mol/mol) as a measure of the ω-transaminase activity for converting N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane to N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 20 is a bar graph of the percent conversion after 4 hours of pyruvate to L-alanine (mol/mol) as a measure of the ω-transaminase activity for converting 7-aminoheptanol to 7-oxoheptanol relative to the empty vector control.

FIG. 21 is a table of the conversion after 1 hour of pimeloyl-CoA methyl ester to pimeloyl-CoA by a pimeloyl-[acp] methyl ester methylesterase.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure provides enzymes, non-natural pathways, cultivation strategies, feedstocks, host microorganisms and attenuations to the host's biochemical network, which generates a C7 aliphatic backbone from central metabolites in which two terminal functional groups may be formed leading to the synthesis of pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoic acid, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol or 1,7-heptanediol (referred to as “C7 building blocks” herein). As used herein, the term “central precursor” is used to denote any metabolite in any metabolic pathway shown herein leading to the synthesis of a C7 building block. The term “central metabolite” is used herein to denote a metabolite that is produced in all microorganisms to support growth.

The term “bioF” refers to any one of a number of bioF genes well known in the art and present in multiple organisms. The term “BioF” refers to a protein encoded by any one of such genes. Numerous bioF genes and BioF proteins from different organisms are well known in the art and can be easily identified in public databases such as GenBank, ExPASy, and via Enzyme Commission numbers.

Host microorganisms described herein can include endogenous pathways that can be manipulated such that one or more C7 building blocks can be produced. In an endogenous pathway, the host microorganism naturally expresses all of the enzymes catalyzing the reactions within the pathway. A host microorganism containing an engineered pathway does not naturally express all of the enzymes catalyzing the reactions within the pathway but has been engineered such that all of the enzymes within the pathway are expressed in the host.

The term “exogenous” as used herein with reference to a nucleic acid (or a protein) and a host refers to a nucleic acid that does not occur in (and cannot be obtained from) a cell of that particular type as it is found in nature or a protein encoded by such a nucleic acid. Thus, a non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid is considered to be exogenous to a host once in the host. It is important to note that non-naturally-occurring nucleic acids can contain nucleic acid subsequences or fragments of nucleic acid sequences that are found in nature provided the nucleic acid as a whole does not exist in nature. For example, a nucleic acid molecule containing a genomic DNA sequence within an expression vector is non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid, and thus is exogenous to a host cell once introduced into the host, since that nucleic acid molecule as a whole (genomic DNA plus vector DNA) does not exist in nature. Thus, any vector, autonomously replicating plasmid, or virus (e.g., retrovirus, adenovirus, or herpes virus) that as a whole does not exist in nature is considered to be non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid. It follows that genomic DNA fragments produced by PCR or restriction endonuclease treatment as well as cDNAs are considered to be non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid since they exist as separate molecules not found in nature. It also follows that any nucleic acid containing a promoter sequence and polypeptide-encoding sequence (e.g., cDNA or genomic DNA) in an arrangement not found in nature is non-naturally-occurring nucleic acid. A nucleic acid that is naturally-occurring can be exogenous to a particular host microorganism. For example, an entire chromosome isolated from a cell of yeast x is an exogenous nucleic acid with respect to a cell of yeast y once that chromosome is introduced into a cell of yeast y.

In contrast, the term “endogenous” as used herein with reference to a nucleic acid (e.g., a gene) (or a protein) and a host refers to a nucleic acid (or protein) that does occur in (and can be obtained from) that particular host as it is found in nature. Moreover, a cell “endogenously expressing” a nucleic acid (or protein) expresses that nucleic acid (or protein) as does a host of the same particular type as it is found in nature. Moreover, a host “endogenously producing” or that “endogenously produces” a nucleic acid, protein, or other compound produces that nucleic acid, protein, or compound as does a host of the same particular type as it is found in nature.

For example, depending on the host and the compounds produced by the host, one or more of the following enzymes may be expressed in the host in addition to a malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase; a β-ketoacyl-[acp] synthase, a β-ketothiolase, a 3-oxoacyl-[acp] reductase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, an enoyl-CoA hydratase, 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, an enoyl-ACP reductase, a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase, a thioesterase, a reversible CoA ligase, a CoA-transferase, an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase, a 6-oxohexanoate dehydrogenase, a 7-oxoheptanoate dehydrogenase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a carboxylate reductase, a ω-transaminase, a N-acetyl transferase, an alcohol dehydrogenase, a deacetylase, a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase, or a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase. In recombinant hosts expressing a carboxylate reductase, a phosphopantetheinyl transferase also can be expressed as it enhances activity of the carboxylate reductase.

For example, a recombinant host can include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding (i) a malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase, (ii) a 3-ketoacyl-ACP synthase or a β-ketothiolase, (iii) a 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, acetoacetyl-CoA reductase, a 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase or a 3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase, (iv) an enoyl-CoA hydratase or 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, (v) an enoyl-ACP reductase or a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase and produce pimeloyl-ACP or pimeloyl-CoA.

Such recombinant hosts producing pimeloyl-ACP or pimeloyl-CoA further can include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding one or more of a thioesterase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a 7-oxoheptanoate dehydrogenase, a 6-oxohexanoate dehydrogenase, a glutaconate CoA-transferase, a reversible succinyl-CoA ligase, an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase, or a carboxylate reductase and produce pimelic acid or pimelate semialdehyde. For example, a recombinant host producing pimeloyl-ACP or pimeloyl-CoA further can include a thioesterase, a reversible Co-ligase (e.g., a reversible succinyl-CoA ligase), or a CoA transferase (e.g., a glutaconate CoA-transferase) and produce pimelic acid. For example, a recombinant host producing pimeloyl-CoA further can include an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase and produce pimelate semilaldehyde. For example, a recombinant host producing pimelate further can include a carboxylate reductase and produce pimelate semialdehyde.

In some embodiments, the recombinant host can comprise at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding bioW and a CoA-specific bioF.

A recombinant host producing pimelate semialdehyde further can include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a ω-transaminase and produce 7-aminoheptanoate.

In some embodiments, a recombinant host producing pimeloyl-CoA includes a carboxylate reductase and a ω-transaminase to produce 7-aminoheptanoate.

A recombinant host producing pimelate or pimelate semialdehyde further can include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase or a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase, and produce 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid. In some embodiments, a recombinant host producing pimeloyl-CoA includes an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase, and a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase or a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase to produce 7-hydroxyheptanoate. In some embodiments, a recombinant host producing pimelate includes a carboxylate reductase and a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase or a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase to produce 7-hydroxyheptanoate.

A recombinant host producing 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate or pimelate semialdehyde further can include at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding a ω-transaminase, a deacetylase, a N-acetyl transferase, or an alcohol dehydrogenase, and produce heptamethylenediamine. For example, a recombinant host producing 7-hydroxyheptanoate can include a carboxylate reductase with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer, a ω-transaminase and an alcohol dehydrogenase.

A recombinant host producing 7-hydroxyheptanoic acid further can include one or more of a carboxylate reductase with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer and an alcohol dehydrogenase, and produce 1,7-heptanediol.

Within an engineered pathway, the enzymes can be from a single source, i.e., from one species or genus, or can be from multiple sources, i.e., different species or genera. Nucleic acids encoding the enzymes described herein have been identified from various organisms and are readily available in publicly available databases such as GenBank or EMBL.

Any of the enzymes described herein that can be used for production of one or more C7 building blocks can have at least 50%, 60% or 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of the corresponding wild-type enzyme. It will be appreciated that the sequence identity can be determined on the basis of the mature enzyme (e.g., with any signal sequence removed).

The percent identity and homology between two amino acid sequences can be determined as follows. First, the amino acid sequences are aligned using the BLAST 2 Sequences (Bl2seq) program from the stand-alone version of BLASTZ containing BLASTP version 2.0.14. This stand-alone version of BLASTZ can be obtained from www.fr.com/blast/ or the U.S. government's National Center for Biotechnology Information web site (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov). Instructions explaining how to use the Bl2seq program can be found in the readme file accompanying BLASTZ. Bl2seq performs a comparison between two amino acid sequences using the BLASTP algorithm. To compare two amino acid sequences, the options of Bl2seq are set as follows: -i is set to a file containing the first amino acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq1.txt); -j is set to a file containing the second amino acid sequence to be compared (e.g., C:\seq2.txt); -p is set to blastp; -o is set to any desired file name (e.g., C:\output.txt); and all other options are left at their default setting. For example, the following command can be used to generate an output file containing a comparison between two amino acid sequences: C:\Bl2seq c:\seq1.txt-j c:\seq2.txt-p blastp-o c:\output.txt. If the two compared sequences share homology (identity), then the designated output file will present those regions of homology as aligned sequences. If the two compared sequences do not share homology (identity), then the designated output file will not present aligned sequences. Similar procedures can be following for nucleic acid sequences except that blastn is used.

Once aligned, the number of matches is determined by counting the number of positions where an identical amino acid residue is presented in both sequences. The percent identity is determined by dividing the number of matches by the length of the full-length polypeptide amino acid sequence followed by multiplying the resulting value by 100. It is noted that the percent identity value is rounded to the nearest tenth. For example, 78.11, 78.12, 78.13, and 78.14 is rounded down to 78.1, while 78.15, 78.16, 78.17, 78.18, and 78.19 is rounded up to 78.2. It also is noted that the length value will always be an integer.

When percentage of sequence identity is used in reference to proteins it is recognized that residue positions which are not identical often differ by conservative amino acid substitutions, where amino acid residues are substituted for other amino acid residues with similar chemical properties (e.g., charge or hydrophobicity) and therefore do not change the functional properties of the molecule. Where sequences differ in conservative substitutions, the percent sequence identity may be adjusted upwards to correct for the conservative nature of the substitution and this process results in “sequence homology” of, e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94%, 95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, or 99%. Means for making this adjustment are well known to those of skill in the art. Typically this involves scoring a conservative substitution as a partial rather than a full mismatch, thereby increasing the percentage sequence identity. Thus, for example, where an identical amino acid is given a score of 1 and a non-conservative substitution is given a score of zero, a conservative substitution is given a score between zero and 1. The scoring of conservative substitutions is calculated, e.g., according to the algorithm of Meyers and Miller, Computer. Applic. Biol. Sci., 1988, 4, 11-17, e.g., as implemented in the program PC/GENE (Intelligenetics, Mountain View, Cailf., USA). This alignment and the percent homology or identity can be determined using any suitable software program known in the art, for example those described in CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (F. M. Ausubel et al. (eds) 1987, Supplement 30, section 7.7.18). Such programs may include the GCG Pileup program, FASTA (Pearson et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 1988, 85, 2444-2448), and BLAST (BLAST Manual, Altschul et al., Nat'l Cent. Biotechnol. Inf., Nat'l Lib. Med. (NCIB NLM NIH), Bethesda, Md., and Altschul et al., NAR, 1997, 25, 3389-3402). Another alignment program is ALIGN Plus (Scientific and Educational Software, Pa.), using default parameters. Another sequence software program that finds use is the TFASTA Data Searching Program available in the Sequence Software Package Version 6.0 (Genetics Computer Group, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.).

A conservative substitution is a substitution of one amino acid for another with similar characteristics. Conservative substitutions include substitutions within the following groups: valine, alanine, and glycine; leucine, valine, and isoleucine; aspartic acid and glutamic acid; asparagine and glutamine; serine, cysteine, and threonine; lysine and arginine; and phenylalanine and tyrosine. The nonpolar hydrophobic amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and methionine. The polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine, and glutamine. The positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine, and histidine. The negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Any substitution of one member of the above mentioned polar, basic, or acidic groups by another member of the same group can be deemed a conservative substitution. By contrast, a non-conservative substitution is a substitution of one amino acid for another with dissimilar characteristics.

For example, a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (BioF, or ACP-dependent BioF) described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of an Escherichia coli 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (BioF) (EC:2.3.1.47, see GenBank Accession No. AAA23516.1, SEQ ID NO: 23), See FIG. 9D.

For example, a thioesterase (TE) described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of an Escherichia coli thioesterase encoded by tesB (see GenBank Accession No. AAA24665.1, SEQ ID NO: 1), or the gene products encoded by tesA or fatB (see GenBank Accession No. ABJ63754.1, SEQ ID NO:21; see GenBank Accession No. CCC78182.1, SEQ ID NO:22). See FIGS. 9A and 9D.

For example, a carboxylate reductase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of a Mycobacterium marinum (see Genbank Accession No. ACC40567.1, SEQ ID NO: 2), a Mycobacterium smegmatis (see Genbank Accession No. ABK71854.1, SEQ ID NO: 3), a Segniliparus rugosus (see Genbank Accession No. EFV11917.1, SEQ ID NO: 4), a Mycobacterium smegmatis (see Genbank Accession No. ABK75684.1, SEQ ID NO: 5), a Mycobacterium massiliense (see Genbank Accession No. EIV11143.1, SEQ ID NO: 6), or a Segniliparus rotundus (see Genbank Accession No. ADG98140.1, SEQ ID NO: 7) carboxylate reductase. See, FIGS. 9A-9C.

For example, a ω-transaminase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of a Chromobacterium violaceum (see Genbank Accession No. AAQ59697.1, SEQ ID NO: 8), a Pseudomonas aeruginosa (see Genbank Accession No. AAG08191.1, SEQ ID NO: 9), a Pseudomonas syringae (see Genbank Accession No. AAY39893.1, SEQ ID NO: 10), a Rhodobacter sphaeroides (see Genbank Accession No. ABA81135.1, SEQ ID NO: 11), an Escherichia coli (see RefSeq Accession No. NP 417544.5, SEQ ID NO: 12), or a Vibrio fluvialis (see Genbank Accession No. AEA39183.1, SEQ ID NO: 13) ω-transaminase. Some of these ω-transaminases are diamine ω-transaminases. See, FIGS. 9C and 9D.

For example, a phosphopantetheinyl transferase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of a Bacillus subtilis phosphopantetheinyl transferase (see RefSeq Accession No. WP 003234549.1, SEQ ID NO:14) or a Nocardia sp. NRRL 5646 phosphopantetheinyl transferase (see Genbank Accession No. ABI83656.1, SEQ ID NO:15). See FIG. 7.

For example, a pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of an Escherichia coli pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase (BioH) (see GenBank Accession No. AAC76437.1, SEQ ID NO:17). See, FIG. 9D.

For example, a 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of an Bacillus subtilis (strain 168) 6-carboxyhexanoate-CoA ligase (BioW) (EC:6.2.1.14, see GenBank Accession No. AAB17457.1, SEQ ID NO:18). See, FIG. 9D.

For example, a 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of an Bacillus subtilis (strain 168) 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase (BioF) (EC:2.3.1.47, see GenBank Accession No. AAB17459.1, SEQ ID NO: 19). See, FIG. 9D. Other bioF genes and BioF proteins from different hosts are well known in the art and can be easily identified in public databases such as GenBank, ExPASy, and via Enzyme Commission numbers.

For example, a SAM-dependent malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase described herein can have at least 70% sequence identity or homology (e.g., at least 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 97%, 98%, 99%, or 100%) to the amino acid sequence of a Escherichia coli malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase (BioC) (EC:2.1.1.197, see RefSeq Accession No. NP_415298.1, SEQ ID NO: 20). See, FIG. 9D.

It will be appreciated that a number of nucleic acids can encode a polypeptide having a particular amino acid sequence. The degeneracy of the genetic code is well known to the art; i.e., for many amino acids, there is more than one nucleotide triplet that serves as the codon for the amino acid. For example, codons in the coding sequence for a given enzyme can be modified such that optimal expression in a particular species (e.g., bacteria or fungus) is obtained, using appropriate codon bias tables for that species.

Functional fragments of any of the enzymes described herein can also be used in the methods of the disclosure. The term “functional fragment” as used herein refers to a peptide fragment of a protein that has at least 25% (e.g., at least: 30%; 40%; 50%; 60%; 70%; 75%; 80%; 85%; 90%; 95%; 98%; 99%; 100%; or even greater than 100%) of the activity of the corresponding mature, full-length, wild-type protein. The functional fragment can generally, but not always, be comprised of a continuous region of the protein, wherein the region has functional activity.

This disclosure also provides (i) functional variants of the enzymes used in the methods of the disclosure and (ii) functional variants of the functional fragments described above. Functional variants of the enzymes and functional fragments can contain additions, deletions, or substitutions relative to the corresponding wild-type sequences. Enzymes with substitutions will generally have not more than 50 (e.g., not more than one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 12, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 50) amino acid substitutions (e.g., conservative substitutions). This applies to any of the enzymes described herein and functional fragments. A conservative substitution is a substitution of one amino acid for another with similar characteristics. Conservative substitutions include substitutions within the following groups: valine, alanine and glycine; leucine, valine, and isoleucine; aspartic acid and glutamic acid; asparagine and glutamine; serine, cysteine, and threonine; lysine and arginine; and phenylalanine and tyrosine. The nonpolar hydrophobic amino acids include alanine, leucine, isoleucine, valine, proline, phenylalanine, tryptophan and methionine. The polar neutral amino acids include glycine, serine, threonine, cysteine, tyrosine, asparagine and glutamine. The positively charged (basic) amino acids include arginine, lysine and histidine. The negatively charged (acidic) amino acids include aspartic acid and glutamic acid. Any substitution of one member of the above-mentioned polar, basic or acidic groups by another member of the same group can be deemed a conservative substitution. By contrast, a nonconservative substitution is a substitution of one amino acid for another with dissimilar characteristics.

Deletion variants can lack one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, or 20 amino acid segments (of two or more amino acids) or non-contiguous single amino acids. Additions (addition variants) include fusion proteins containing: (a) any of the enzymes described herein or a fragment thereof; and (b) internal or terminal (C or N) irrelevant or heterologous amino acid sequences. In the context of such fusion proteins, the term “heterologous amino acid sequences” refers to an amino acid sequence other than (a). A heterologous sequence can be, for example a sequence used for purification of the recombinant protein (e.g., FLAG, polyhistidine (e.g., hexahistidine (SEQ ID NO: 24)), hemagglutinin (HA), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), or maltosebinding protein (MBP)). Heterologous sequences also can be proteins useful as detectable markers, for example, luciferase, green fluorescent protein (GFP), or chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT). In some embodiments, the fusion protein contains a signal sequence from another protein. In certain host cells (e.g., yeast host cells), expression and/or secretion of the target protein can be increased through use of a heterologous signal sequence. In some embodiments, the fusion protein can contain a carrier (e.g., KLH) useful, e.g., in eliciting an immune response for antibody generation) or ER or Golgi apparatus retention signals. Heterologous sequences can be of varying length and in some cases can be a longer sequences than the full-length target proteins to which the heterologous sequences are attached.

Engineered hosts can naturally express none or some (e.g., one or more, two or more, three or more, four or more, five or more, or six or more) of the enzymes of the pathways described herein. Thus, a pathway within an engineered host can include all exogenous enzymes, or can include both endogenous and exogenous enzymes. Endogenous genes of the engineered hosts also can be disrupted to prevent the formation of undesirable metabolites or prevent the loss of intermediates in the pathway through other enzymes acting on such intermediates. Engineered hosts can be referred to as recombinant hosts or recombinant host cells. As described herein recombinant hosts can include nucleic acids encoding one or more of a methyltransferase, a synthase, β-ketothiolase, a dehydratase, a hydratase, a dehydrogenase, a methylesterase, a thioesterase, a reversible CoA-ligase, a CoA-transferase, a reductase, deacetylase, N-acetyl transferase or a ω-transaminase as described in more detail below.

In addition, the production of one or more C7 building blocks can be performed in vitro using the isolated enzymes described herein, using a lysate (e.g., a cell lysate) from a host microorganism as a source of the enzymes, or using a plurality of lysates from different host microorganisms as the source of the enzymes.

Enzymes Generating the C7 Aliphatic Backbone for Conversion to C7 Building Blocks

As depicted in FIG. 3, the first step in biotin biosynthesis is the methylation of malonyl-ACP by BioC (a S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase). The malonyl-ACP methyl ester thus generated then serves as a starter unit for the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, two rounds of fatty acid elongation and reduction then occur (catalysed by FabB, F, G, Z and I) to generate pimelyl-ACP methyl ester. Pimelyl-ACP is then generated by the removal of the methyl group by the esterase BioH. Biotin biosynthesis then continues via a series of reactions catalysed by the enzymes BioF, BioA, BioB and BioD. One of the intermediates in biotin biosynthesis, pimelyl-ACP, can also be converted to 7-aminoheptanoic acid (7-AHA) in a synthetic metabolic pathway. In this pathway a thioesterase (1E) is used to release pimelic acid from pimelyl-ACP. Then carboxylic acid reductase (CAR) reduces the free pimelic acid to the cognate semi-aldehyde, with the final catalytic step being the amination of the semi-aldehyde by the ω-transaminase (ω-TAM) to produce 7-AHA. The export of 7-AHA from the cell then may be facilitated by the transport protein LysE.

The native biotin pathway thus provides a potential source of the pimelic acid intermediate that can be subsequently metabolized to 7-AHA. As biotin is only required in trace amounts the natural flux through this pathway is very low. Initial attempts to increase the flux to pimelic acid in E. coli have yielded only trace amounts of pimelic acid (<0.1 ppm), due in part to complex regulation of the biotin pathway and the toxicity associated with overexpression of pathway enzymes. In order to bypass these issues strains of E. coli with increased flux through the biotin pathway were sourced. A series of strains, generated by multiple rounds of random mutagenesis, have been reported to produce almost 1 g/L of biotin (U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,500 B1). These strains were used in order to provide a genetic background in which flux through the native biotin pathway is high with feedback and other negative regulatory mechanisms non-functional or much reduced.

In some embodiments, a methyl ester shielded carbon chain elongation associated with biotin biosynthesis route comprises using a malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase to form a malonyl-ACP methyl ester, and then performing two cycles of carbon chain elongation using a β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, a 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, a 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, and an enoyl-ACP reductase. A pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase can be used to cleave the resulting pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester.

In some embodiments, a methyltransferase can be a malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase classified, for example, under EC 2.1.1.197 such as the gene product of bioC from Bacillus cereus (see Genbank Accession No. AAS43086.1, SEQ ID NO:16) (see, for example, Lin, 2012, Biotin Synthesis in Escherichia coli, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign).

In some embodiments, a β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase may be classified, for example, under EC 2.3.1.—(e.g., EC 2.3.1.41, EC 2.3.1.179 or EC 2.3.1.180) such as the gene product of fabB, fabF, or fabH.

In some embodiments, a 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase may be classified under EC 1.1.1.100, such as the gene product of fabG.

In some embodiments, an enoyl-ACP dehydratase such as a 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase may be classified under EC 4.2.1.59, such as the gene product of fabZ.

In some embodiments, a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase may be classified under EC 1.3.1.—(e.g., EC 1.3.1.38, EC 1.3.1.8, EC 1.3.1.44), such as the gene product of ter (Nishimaki et al., J. Biochem., 1984, 95, 1315-1321; Shen et al., 2011, supra) or tdter (Bond-Watts et al., Biochemistry, 2012, 51, 6827-6837).

In some embodiments, an enoyl-ACP reductase may be classified under EC 1.3.1.10 such as the gene product of fabI.

In some embodiments, a pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester esterase may be classified, for example, under EC 3.1.1.85 such as the gene product of bioH from E. coli. See Genbank Accession No. AAC76437.1, SEQ ID NO:17.

Enzymes Generating the Terminal Carboxyl Groups in the Biosynthesis of C7 Building Blocks

As depicted in FIG. 1, a terminal carboxyl group can be enzymatically formed using a thioesterase (TE).

In some embodiments, the second terminal carboxyl group leading to the synthesis of a C7 building block is enzymatically formed by a thioesterase classified, for example, under EC 3.1.2.-, such as the gene product of YciA, tesB (Genbank Accession No. AAA24665.1, SEQ ID NO: 1) or the gene products encoded by tesA or fatB (see GenBank Accession No. ABJ63754.1, SEQ ID NO:21; see GenBank Accession No. CCC78182.1, SEQ ID NO:22) (see, for example, Cantu et al., Protein Science, 2010, 19, 1281-1295; Zhuang et al., Biochemistry, 2008, 47(9), 2789-2796; or Naggert et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1991, 266(17), 11044 11050).

Enzymes Generating the Terminal Amine Groups in the Biosynthesis of C7 Building Blocks

As depicted in FIG. 5 and FIGS. 6A-6C, terminal amine groups can be enzymatically formed using a ω-transaminase or a deacetylase.

In some embodiments, the first or second terminal amine group leading to the synthesis of 7-aminoheptanoic acid is enzymatically formed by a ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.48, or EC 2.6.1.82 such as that obtained from Chromobacterium violaceum (Genbank Accession No. AAQ59697.1, SEQ ID NO: 8), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Genbank Accession No. AAG08191.1, SEQ ID NO: 9), Pseudomonas syringae (Genbank Accession No. AAY39893.1, SEQ ID NO: 10), Rhodobacter sphaeroides (Genbank Accession No. ABA81135.1, SEQ ID NO: 11), Escherichia coli (RefSeq Accession No. NP 417544.5, SEQ ID NO: 12), Vibrio Fluvialis (Genbank Accession No. AEA39183.1, SEQ ID NO: 13), Streptomyces griseus, or Clostridium viride. Some of these ω-transaminases are diamine ω-transaminases (e.g., SEQ ID NO: 12). For example, the ω-transaminases classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.29 or EC 2.6.1.82 may be diamine ω-transaminases.

The reversible ω-transaminase from Chromobacterium violaceum (Genbank Accession No. AAQ59697.1, SEQ ID NO: 8) has demonstrated analogous activity accepting 6-aminohexanoic acid as amino donor, thus forming the first terminal amine group in adipate semialdehyde (Kaulmann et al., Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 2007, 41, 628-637).

The reversible 4-aminobubyrate:2-oxoglutarate transaminase from Streptomyces griseus has demonstrated analogous activity for the conversion of 6-aminohexanoate to adipate semialdehyde (Yonaha et al., Eur. J. Biochem., 1985, 146:101-106).

The reversible 5-aminovalerate transaminase from Clostridium viride has demonstrated analogous activity for the conversion of 6-aminohexanoate to adipate semialdehyde (Barker et al., J. Biol. Chem., 1987, 262(19), 8994-9003).

In some embodiments, a terminal amine group leading to the synthesis of 7-aminoheptanoate or heptamethylenediamine is enzymatically formed by a diamine ω-transaminase. For example, the second terminal amino group can be enzymatically formed by a diamine ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.29 or classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.82, such as the gene product of YgjG from E. coli (RefSeq Accession No. NP_417544.5, SEQ ID NO: 12).

The gene product of ygjG accepts a broad range of diamine carbon chain length substrates, such as putrescine, cadaverine and spermidine (see, for example, Samsonova et al., BMC Microbiology, 2003, 3:2).

The diamine ω-transaminase from E. coli strain B has demonstrated activity for 1,7 diaminoheptane (Kim, The Journal of Chemistry, 1964, 239(3), 783-786).

In some embodiments, the second terminal amine group leading to the synthesis of heptamethylenediamine is enzymatically formed by a deacetylase such as acetylputrescine deacetylase classified, for example, under EC 3.5.1.62. The acetylputrescine deacetylase from Micrococcus luteus K-11 accepts a broad range of carbon chain length substrates, such as acetylputrescine, acetylcadaverine and N⁸_acetylspermidine (see, for example, Suzuki et al., 1986, BBA—General Subjects, 882(1):140-142).

Enzymes Generating the Terminal Hydroxyl Groups in the Biosynthesis of C7 Building Blocks

As depicted in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, a terminal hydroxyl group can be enzymatically formed using an alcohol dehydrogenase.

In some embodiments, a terminal hydroxyl group leading to the synthesis of 1,7 heptanediol is enzymatically formed by an alcohol dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.—(e.g., 1, 2, 21, or 184) such as the gene product of YMR318C (classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.2, see Genbank Accession No. CAA90836.1) (Larroy et al., 2002, Biochem J., 361(Pt 1), 163-172), the gene product of YghD, the gene product of cpnD (Iwaki et al., 2002, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 68(11):5671-5684), the gene product of gbd, or a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.258 such as the gene product of ChnD (Iwaki et al., Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 1999, supra).

Biochemical Pathways

Pathways from Malonyl-ACP to Pimeloyl-ACP as Central Precursor Leading to C7 Building Block

As depicted in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the first step in biotin biosynthesis is the methylation of malonyl-ACP by BioC (a S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase). The malonyl-ACP methyl ester thus generated then serves as a starter unit for the fatty acid biosynthesis pathway, two rounds of fatty acid elongation and reduction then occur (catalysed by FabB, F, G, Z and I) to generate pimelyl-ACP methyl ester. Pimelyl-ACP is then generated by the removal of the methyl group by the esterase BioH. Biotin biosynthesis then continues via a series of reactions catalysed by the enzymes BioF, BioA, BioB and BioD. One of the intermediates in biotin biosynthesis, pimelyl-ACP, can also be converted to 7-aminoheptanoic acid (7-AHA) in a synthetic metabolic pathway. In this pathway a thioesterase (TE) is used to release pimelic acid from pimelyl-ACP. Then carboxylic acid reductase (CAR) reduces the free pimelic acid to the cognate semi-aldehyde, with the final catalytic step being the amination of the semi-aldehyde by the ω-transaminase (ω-TAM) to produce 7-AHA. The export of 7-AHA from the cell then may be facilitated by the transport protein LysE.

The native biotin pathway thus provides a potential source of the pimelic acid intermediate that can be subsequently metabolized to 7-AHA. As biotin is only required in trace amounts the natural flux through this pathway is very low. Initial attempts to increase the flux to pimelic acid in E. coli have yielded only trace amounts of pimelic acid (<0.1 ppm), due in part to complex regulation of the biotin pathway and the toxicity associated with overexpression of pathway enzymes. In order to bypass these issues strains of E. coli with increased flux through the biotin pathway were sourced. A series of strains, generated by multiple rounds of random mutagenesis, have been reported to produce almost 1 g/L of biotin (U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,500 B1). These strains were used in order to provide a genetic background in which flux through the native biotin pathway is high with feedback and other negative regulatory mechanisms non-functional or much reduced.

Pathways Using Pimeloyl-ACP as Central Precursor to Pimelic Acid

In some embodiments, pimelic acid is synthesized from the central precursor, pimeloyl-ACP, by conversion of pimeloyl-ACP to pimelate by a thioesterase classified, for example, under EC 3.1.2.—such as the gene products encoded by tesA orfatB (Genbank Accession No. ABJ63754.1, SEQ ID NO:21; Genbank Accession No. CCC78182.1, SEQ ID NO:22). See FIG. 3.

Pathways Using Pimelate Semialdehyde as Precursor to 7-Aminoheptanoate

In some embodiments, 7-aminoheptanoate is synthesized from the central precursor, pimelate, by conversion of pimelate to pimelate semialdehyde by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp (RefSeq Accession No. WP 003234549.1, SEQ ID NO:14) gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt (Genbank Accession No. ABI83656.1, SEQ ID NO:15) gene from Nocardia) or the gene products of GriC and GriD from Streptomyces griseus (Suzuki et al., J. Antibiot., 2007, 60(6), 380-387); followed by conversion of pimelate semialdehyde to 7-aminoheptanoate by a ω-transaminase (e.g., EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.48, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.82 such as SEQ ID NOs:8-13). The carboxylate reductase can be obtained, for example, from Mycobacterium marinum (Genbank Accession No. ACC40567.1, SEQ ID NO: 2), Mycobacterium smegmatis (Genbank Accession No. ABK71854.1, SEQ ID NO: 3), Segniliparus rugosus (Genbank Accession No. EFV11917.1, SEQ ID NO: 4), Mycobacterium smegmatis (Genbank Accession No. ABK75684.1, SEQ ID NO: 5), Mycobacterium massiliense (Genbank Accession No. EIV11143.1, SEQ ID NO: 6), or Segniliparus rotundus (Genbank Accession No. ADG98140.1, SEQ ID NO: 7). See FIG. 5.

Pathway Using 7-Aminoheptanoate, 7-Hydroxyheptanoate or Pimelate Semialdehyde as a Precursor to Heptamethylenediamine

In some embodiments, heptamethylenediamine is synthesized from the central precursor, 7-aminoheptanoate, by conversion of 7-aminoheptanoate to 7-aminoheptanal by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car (see above) in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp (RefSeq Accession No. WP 003234549.1, SEQ ID NO:14) gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt (Genbank Accession No. ABI83656.1, SEQ ID NO:15) gene from Nocardia) or the gene product of GriC & GriD; followed by conversion of 7-aminoheptanal to heptamethylenediamine by a ω-transaminase (e.g., classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.48, or EC 2.6.1.82 such as SEQ ID NOs:8-13, see above). See FIG. 6A.

The carboxylate reductase encoded by the gene product of car and the phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer npt or sfp has broad substrate specificity, including terminal difunctional C4 and C5 carboxylic acids (Venkitasubramanian et al., Enzyme and Microbial Technology, 2008, 42, 130-137).

In some embodiments, heptamethylenediamine is synthesized from the central precursor, 7-hydroxyheptanoate (which can be produced as described in FIG. 5), by conversion of 7-hydroxyheptanoate to 7-hydroxyheptanal by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car (see above) in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt gene from Nocardia) or the gene product of GriC & GriD (Suzuki et al., J. Antibiot., 2007, 60(6), 380-387); followed by conversion of 7-aminoheptanal to 7-aminoheptanol by a ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.48, or EC 2.6.1.82 such as SEQ ID NOs:8-13, see above; followed by conversion to 7-aminoheptanal by an alcohol dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.—(e.g., EC 1.1.1.1, EC 1.1.1.2, EC 1.1.1.21, or EC 1.1.1.184) such as the gene product of YMR318C (classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.2, see Genbank Accession No. CAA90836.1) or YqhD (from E. coli, GenBank Accession No. AAA69178.1) (Liu et al., Microbiology, 2009, 155, 2078 2085; Larroy et al., 2002, Biochem J., 361(Pt 1), 163-172; Jarboe, 2011, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 89(2), 249-257) or the protein having GenBank Accession No. CAA81612.1 (from Geobacillus stearothermophilus); followed by conversion to heptamethylenediamine by a ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.48, or EC 2.6.1.82 such as SEQ ID NOs:8-13, see above. See FIG. 6A.

In some embodiments, heptamethylenediamine is synthesized from the central precursor, 7-aminoheptanoate, by conversion of 7-aminoheptanoate to N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate by a N-acetyltransferase such as a lysine N-acetyltransferase classified, for example, under EC 2.3.1.32; followed by conversion to N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car (see above) in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt gene from Nocardia) or the gene product of GriC & GriD; followed by conversion to N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane by a ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.48, EC 2.6.1.46, or EC 2.6.1.82 such as SEQ ID NOs:8-13, see above; followed by conversion to heptamethylenediamine by an acetylputrescine deacylase classified, for example, under EC 3.5.1.62. See, FIG. 6B.

In some embodiments, heptamethylenediamine is synthesized from the central precursor, pimelate semialdehyde, by conversion of pimelate semialdehyde to heptanedial by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car (see above) in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt gene from Nocardia) or the gene product of GriC & GriD; followed by conversion to 7-aminoheptanal by a ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, or EC 2.6.1.48; followed by conversion to heptamethylenediamine by a ω-transaminase classified, for example, under EC 2.6.1.18, EC 2.6.1.19, EC 2.6.1.29, EC 2.6.1.48, EC 2.6.1.46, or EC 2.6.1.82 such as SEQ ID NOs:8-13, see above. See FIG. 6C.

Pathways Using Pimelate or Pimelate Semialdehyde as Central Precursor to 1,7-Heptanediol

In some embodiments, 7-hydroxyheptanoate is synthesized from the central precursor, pimelate, by conversion of pimelate to pimelate semialdehyde by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car (see above) in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt gene from Nocardia) or the gene product of GriC & GriD; followed by conversion to 7-hydroxyheptanoate by a dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.—such as a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.258 such as the gene from of ChnD or a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.—such as the gene product of CpnD (see, for example, Iwaki et al., 2002, Appl. Environ. Microbiol., 68(11):5671-5684) or a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase such as gbd. See FIG. 7. Pimelate semialdehyde also can be produced from pimeloyl-CoA using an acetylating aldehyde dehydrogenase as described above. See, also FIG. 7.

In some embodiments, 1,7 heptanediol is synthesized from the central precursor, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, by conversion of 7-hydroxyheptanoate to 7-hydroxyheptanal by a carboxylate reductase classified, for example, under EC 1.2.99.6 such as the gene product of car (see above) in combination with a phosphopantetheine transferase enhancer (e.g., encoded by a sfp gene from Bacillus subtilis or npt gene from Nocardia) or the gene product of GriC & GriD; followed by conversion of 7-hydroxyheptanal to 1,7 heptanediol by an alcohol dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.1.1.—such as EC 1.1.1.1, EC 1.1.1.2, EC 1.1.1.21, or EC 1.1.1.184) such as the gene product of YMR318C or YqhD (see, e.g., Liu et al., Microbiology, 2009, 155, 2078-2085; Larroy et al., 2002, Biochem 361(Pt 1), 163-172; or Jarboe, 2011, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 89(2), 249-257) or the protein having GenBank Accession No. CAA81612.1 (from Geobacillus stearothermophilus). See, FIG. 8.

Cultivation Strategy

In some embodiments, the cultivation strategy entails achieving an aerobic, anaerobic or micro-aerobic cultivation condition.

In some embodiments, the cultivation strategy entails nutrient limitation such as nitrogen, phosphate or oxygen limitation.

In some embodiments, a cell retention strategy using, for example, ceramic hollow fiber membranes can be employed to achieve and maintain a high cell density during either fed-batch or continuous fermentation.

In some embodiments, the principal carbon source fed to the fermentation in the synthesis of one or more C7 building blocks can derive from biological or non-biological feedstocks.

In some embodiments, the biological feedstock can be, can include, or can derive from, monosaccharides, disaccharides, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, levulinic acid and formic acid, triglycerides, glycerol, fatty acids, agricultural waste, condensed distillers' solubles, or municipal waste.

The efficient catabolism of crude glycerol stemming from the production of biodiesel has been demonstrated in several microorganisms such as Escherichia coli, Cupriavidus necator, Pseudomonas oleavorans, Pseudomonas putida and Yarrowia lipolytica (Lee et al., Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol., 2012, 166, 1801-1813; Yang et al., Biotechnology for Biofuels, 2012, 5:13; Meijnen et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol., 2011, 90, 885-893).

The efficient catabolism of lignocellulosic-derived levulinic acid has been demonstrated in several organisms such as Cupriavidus necator and Pseudomonas putida in the synthesis of 3-hydroxyvalerate via the precursor propanoyl-CoA (Jaremko and Yu, Journal of Biotechnology, 2011, 155, 2011, 293-298; Martin and Prather, Journal of Biotechnology, 2009, 139, 61-67).

The efficient catabolism of lignin-derived aromatic compounds such as benzoate analogues has been demonstrated in several microorganisms such as Pseudomonas putida, Cupriavidus necator (Bugg et al., Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 2011, 22, 394-400; Perez-Pantoja et al., FEMS Microbiol. Rev., 2008, 32, 736-794).

The efficient utilization of agricultural waste, such as olive mill waste water has been demonstrated in several microorganisms, including Yarrowia lipolytica (Papanikolaou et al., Bioresour. Technol., 2008, 99(7), 2419-2428).

The efficient utilization of fermentable sugars such as monosaccharides and disaccharides derived from cellulosic, hemicellulosic, cane and beet molasses, cassava, corn and other agricultural sources has been demonstrated for several microorganism such as Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum and Lactobacillus delbrueckii and Lactococcus lactis (see, e.g., Hermann et al, Journal of Biotechnology, 2003, 104, 155-172; Wee et al., Food Technol. Biotechnol., 2006, 44(2), 163-172; Ohashi et al., Journal of Bioscience and Bioengineering, 1999, 87(5), 647-654).

The efficient utilization of furfural, derived from a variety of agricultural lignocellulosic sources, has been demonstrated for Cupriavidus necator (Li et al., Biodegradation, 2011, 22, 1215-1225).

In some embodiments, the non-biological feedstock can be or can derive from natural gas, syngas, CO₂/H₂, methanol, ethanol, benzoic acid, non-volatile residue (NVR), a caustic wash waste stream from cyclohexane oxidation processes, or terephthalic acid/isophthalic acid mixture waste streams.

The efficient catabolism of methanol has been demonstrated for the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

The efficient catabolism of ethanol has been demonstrated for Clostridium kluyveri (Seedorf et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 2008, 105(6) 2128-2133).

The efficient catabolism of CO₂ and H₂, which may be derived from natural gas and other chemical and petrochemical sources, has been demonstrated for Cupriavidus necator (Prybylski et al., Energy, Sustainability and Society, 2012, 2:11).

The efficient catabolism of syngas has been demonstrated for numerous microorganisms, such as Clostridium ljungdahlii and Clostridium autoethanogenum (Kopke et al., Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2011, 77(15), 5467-5475).

The efficient catabolism of the non-volatile residue waste stream from cyclohexane processes has been demonstrated for numerous microorganisms, such as Delftia acidovorans and Cupriavidus necator (Ramsay et al., Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 1986, 52(1), 152-156).

In some embodiments, the host microorganism is a prokaryote. For example, the prokaryote can be a bacterium from the genus Escherichia such as Escherichia coli; from the genus Clostridia such as Clostridium ljungdahlii, Clostridium autoethanogenum or Clostridium kluyveri; from the genus Corynebacteria such as Corynebacterium glutamicum; from the genus Cupriavidus such as Cupriavidus necator or Cupriavidus metallidurans; from the genus Pseudomonas such as Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida or Pseudomonas oleavorans; from the genus Delftia such as Delftia acidovorans; from the genus Bacillus such as Bacillus subtillis; from the genus Lactobacillus such as Lactobacillus delbrueckii; or from the genus Lactococcus such as Lactococcus lactis. Such prokaryotes also can be a source of genes to construct recombinant host cells described herein that are capable of producing one or more C7 building blocks.

In some embodiments, the host microorganism is a eukaryote. For example, the eukaryote can be a filamentous fungus, e.g., one from the genus Aspergillus such as Aspergillus niger. Alternatively, the eukaryote can be a yeast, e.g., one from the genus Saccharomyces such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae; from the genus Pichia such as Pichia pastoris; or from the genus Yarrowia such as Yarrowia lipolytica; from the genus Issatchenkia such as Issathenkia orientalis; from the genus Debaryomyces such as Debaryomyces hansenii; from the genus Arxula such as Arxula adenoinivorans; or from the genus Kluyveromyces such as Kluyveromyces lactis. Such eukaryotes also can be a source of genes to construct recombinant host cells described herein that are capable of producing one or more C7 building blocks.

Metabolic Engineering

The present disclosure provides methods involving less than all the steps described for all the above pathways. Such methods can involve, for example, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve or more of such steps. Where less than all the steps are included in such a method, the first, and in some embodiments the only, step can be any one of the steps listed.

Furthermore, recombinant hosts described herein can include any combination of the above enzymes such that one or more of the steps, e.g., one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or more of such steps, can be performed within a recombinant host. This disclosure provides host cells of any of the genera and species listed and genetically engineered to express one or more (e.g., two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, 10, 11, 12 or more) recombinant forms of any of the enzymes recited in the disclosure. Thus, for example, the host cells can contain exogenous nucleic acids encoding enzymes catalyzing one or more of the steps of any of the pathways described herein.

In addition, this disclosure recognizes that where enzymes have been described as accepting CoA-activated substrates, analogous enzyme activities associated with ACP-bound substrates exist that are not necessarily in the same enzyme class.

Also, this disclosure recognizes that where enzymes have been described accepting (R)-enantiomers of substrate, analogous enzyme activities associated with (S)-enantiomer substrates exist that are not necessarily in the same enzyme class.

This disclosure also recognizes that where an enzyme is shown to accept a particular co-factor, such as NADPH, or a co-substrate, such as acetyl-CoA, many enzymes are promiscuous in terms of accepting a number of different co-factors or co-substrates in catalyzing a particular enzyme activity. Also, this disclosure recognizes that where enzymes have high specificity for e.g., a particular co-factor such as NADH, an enzyme with similar or identical activity that has high specificity for the co-factor NADPH may be in a different enzyme class.

In some embodiments, the enzymes in the pathways outlined herein are the result of enzyme engineering via non-direct or rational enzyme design approaches with aims of improving activity, improving specificity, reducing feedback inhibition, reducing repression, improving enzyme solubility, changing stereo-specificity, or changing co-factor specificity.

In some embodiments, the enzymes in the pathways outlined herein can be gene dosed (i.e., overexpressed by having a plurality of copies of the gene in the host organism), into the resulting genetically modified organism via episomal or chromosomal integration approaches.

In some embodiments, genome-scale system biology techniques such as Flux Balance Analysis can be utilized to devise genome scale attenuation or knockout strategies for directing carbon flux to a C7 building block.

Attenuation strategies include, but are not limited to; the use of transposons, homologous recombination (double cross-over approach), mutagenesis, enzyme inhibitors and RNA interference (RNAi).

In some embodiments, fluxomic, metabolomic and transcriptomal data can be utilized to inform or support genome-scale system biology techniques, thereby devising genome scale attenuation or knockout strategies in directing carbon flux to a C7 building block.

In some embodiments, the host microorganism's tolerance to high concentrations of at least one C7 building block can be improved through continuous cultivation in a selective environment.

In some embodiments, where pathways require excess NADPH co-factor in the synthesis of a C7 building block, a recombinant glucose dehydrogenase such as the gene product of gdh can be overexpressed in the host organism (Satoh et al., J. Bioscience and Bioengineering, 2003, 95(4):335-341).

In some embodiments, endogenous enzymes facilitating the conversion of NADPH to NADH can be attenuated, such as the NADH generation cycle that may be generated via inter-conversion of glutamate dehydrogenases classified under EC 1.4.1.2 (NADH-specific) and EC 1.4.1.4 (NADPH-specific). For example, avoiding dissipation of an NADH imbalance towards C7 building blocks, a NADPH-specific glutamate dehydrogenase can be attenuated.

In some embodiments, an endogenous glutamate dehydrogenase (EC 1.4.1.3) that utilizes both NADH and NADPH as co-factors can be attenuated.

In some embodiments, a membrane-bound enoyl-CoA reductases can be solubilized via expression as a fusion protein to a small soluble protein such as a maltose binding protein (Gloerich et al., FEBS Letters, 2006, 580, 2092-2096).

In some embodiments using hosts that naturally accumulate polyhydroxyalkanoates, the endogenous polymer synthase enzymes can be attenuated in the host strain.

In some embodiments, a L-alanine dehydrogenase can be overexpressed in the host to regenerate L-alanine from pyruvate as an amino donor for ω-transaminase reactions.

In some embodiments, a L-glutamate dehydrogenase specific for the co-factor used to achieve co-factor imbalance can be overexpressed in the host to regenerate L-glutamate from 2-oxoglutarate as an amino donor for ω-transaminase reactions. For example, promoting dissipation of the NADH imbalance towards C7 building blocks, a NADH-specific glutamate dehydrogenase can be overexpressed.

In some embodiments, enzymes such as pimeloyl-CoA dehydrogenase classified under, EC 1.3.1.62; an acyl-CoA dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.3.8.7 or EC 1.3.8.1; and/or a glutaryl-CoA dehydrogenase classified, for example, under EC 1.3.8.6 that degrade central metabolites and central precursors leading to and including C7 building blocks can be attenuated.

In some embodiments, endogenous enzymes activating C7 building blocks via Coenzyme A esterification such as CoA-ligases (e.g., a pimeloyl-CoA synthetase) classified under, for example, EC 6.2.1.14 can be attenuated.

In some embodiments, a methanol dehydrogenase and a formaldehyde dehydrogenase can be overexpressed in the host to allow methanol catabolism via formate.

In some embodiments, a S-adenosylmethionine synthetase can be overexpressed in the host to generate S-Adenosyl-L-methionine as a co-factor for malonyl-ACP O-methyltransferase.

In some embodiments, the efflux of a C7 building block across the cell membrane to the extracellular media can be enhanced or amplified by genetically engineering structural modifications to the cell membrane or increasing any associated transporter activity for a C7 building block.

The efflux of heptamethylenediamine can be enhanced or amplified by overexpressing broad substrate range multidrug transporters such as Blt from Bacillus subtilis (Woolridge et al., 1997, J. Biol. Chem., 272(14):8864-8866); AcrB and AcrD from Escherichia coli (Elkins & Nikaido, 2002, J. Bacteriol., 184(23), 6490-6499), NorA from Staphylococcus aereus (Ng et al., 1994, Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 38(6), 1345-1355), or Bmr from Bacillus subtilis (Neyfakh, 1992, Antimicrob Agents Chemother, 36(2), 484-485).

The efflux of 7-aminoheptanoate and heptamethylenediamine can be enhanced or amplified by overexpressing the solute transporters such as the lysE transporter from Corynebacterium glutamicum (Bellmann et al., 2001, Microbiology, 147, 1765-1774).

The efflux of pimelic acid can be enhanced or amplified by overexpressing a dicarboxylate transporter such as the SucE transporter from Corynebacterium glutamicum (Huhn et al., Appl. Microbiol. & Biotech., 89(2), 327-335).

Producing C7 Building Blocks Using a Recombinant Host

Typically, one or more C7 building blocks can be produced by providing a host microorganism and culturing the provided microorganism with a culture medium containing a suitable carbon source as described above. In general, the culture media and/or culture conditions can be such that the microorganisms grow to an adequate density and produce a C7 building block efficiently. For large-scale production processes, any method can be used such as those described elsewhere (Manual of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2^(nd) Edition, Editors: A. L. Demain and J. E. Davies, ASM Press; and Principles of Fermentation Technology, P. F. Stanbury and A. Whitaker, Pergamon). Briefly, a large tank (e.g., a 100 gallon, 200 gallon, 500 gallon, or more tank) containing an appropriate culture medium is inoculated with a particular microorganism. After inoculation, the microorganism is incubated to allow biomass to be produced. Once a desired biomass is reached, the broth containing the microorganisms can be transferred to a second tank. This second tank can be any size. For example, the second tank can be larger, smaller, or the same size as the first tank. Typically, the second tank is larger than the first such that additional culture medium can be added to the broth from the first tank. In addition, the culture medium within this second tank can be the same as, or different from, that used in the first tank.

Once transferred, the microorganisms can be incubated to allow for the production of a C7 building block. Once produced, any method can be used to isolate C7 building blocks. For example, C7 building blocks can be recovered selectively from the fermentation broth via adsorption processes. In the case of pimelic acid and 7-aminoheptanoic acid, the resulting eluate can be further concentrated via evaporation, crystallized via evaporative and/or cooling crystallization, and the crystals recovered via centrifugation. In the case of heptamethylenediamine and 1,7-heptanediol, distillation may be employed to achieve the desired product purity.

The present disclosure is further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Strain Selection

A series of six biotin overproducing strains of E. coli were obtained, these were assessed for biotin productivity in small scale experiments and, based on initial biotin productivity, two of the strains were selected for further analysis, FERM BP 4928 and FERM BP 5667. These two strains were also analysed in high density fermentations with titres of biotin metabolites being >200 mg/L in chemically defined growth medium.

The biotin overproducing strains were modified to facilitate further manipulation and analysis; the plasmids bearing extra copies of the biotin operon were removed and; the T7 RNA polymerase gene was introduced to allow high level expression from the T7 promoter. This generated strains FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 and FERM BP-5667-P2(DE3)-A7.

Example 2

Expression of Thioesterases

The release of pimelic acid from pimelyl-ACP is catalysed by acyl-ACP thioesterases. The expression of a suitable thioesterase would be predicted to result in the release of pimelic acid. Nine different thioesterases were selected on the basis of diversity and in vitro activity and, following induction of expression, culture supernatants were analysed for pimelic acid. Pimelic acid levels were in all cases below the level of quantification and in some cases induction of gene expression also resulted in the cessation of cell growth. See Table 1.

Example 3

Deletion of Biotin Biosynthesis Genes

It was sought to increase the potential pool of pimelyl-ACP by deleting specific biotin biosynthesis genes from the chromosome. The bioF gene was the major target as the product of this gene catalyses the conversion of pimelyl-ACP to 8-amino-7-oxo-nonanoic acid (“KAPA”) (FIG. 4), and the removal of this activity from the strain would be predicted to result in the accumulation of pimeloyl-ACP. In addition to the deletion of the bioF gene, the bioH gene was also deleted which would be expected to result in a strain that accumulates pimelyl-ACP methyl ester. See Table 1.

The strains carrying deletions of bioF and bioH were then analysed, and all were biotin auxotrophs. The bioF mutant strains were found to produce detectable levels of pimelic acid in shake flask experiments (˜2.5 mg/L), while the bioH mutant strains were found to produce both pimelic acid methyl ester (˜0.6 mg/L) and pimelic acid (˜0.2 mg/L) in the culture supernatant. The production of both pimelic acid and pimelic acid methyl ester in the absence of an additional thioesterase indicates that native E. coli thioesterase activities are able to release ACP bound pimelic acid (and methyl ester). Additional thioesterase was expressed in the ΔbioF strains, however it did not resulted in an increase in pimelic acid levels above those found without an additional thioesterase. See Table 1.

In Table 1, pimelate production was analyzed in biotin mutant strains. Strains were cultured in chemically defined medium and were grown for 24 to 48 hours following induction. Culture supernatants were then analysed by LC-MS for pimelic acid and pimelic acid methyl ester.

TABLE 1 pimelic acid pimelic acid methyl ester Strain bioF bioH thioesterase (ppm) (ppm) FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 WT WT None 0   0 FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 WT WT 9 different 0, trace 0, trace TEs¹ amount - TE2, amount - TE5 (<0.1 TE11 ppm) FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 Δ WT None 2.5 0 FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 WT Δ None 0.2 0.6 FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 Δ Δ None 0.5 1.5 FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 Δ WT 7 different 0.1-0.8 0, 0.2 with TEs² TE11 ¹TEs utilised were TE2, TE5, TE8, TE11, TE14, TE17, YciA, AA077182, ′tesA. ²TEs utilised were TE2, TE5, TE8, TE11, TE14, TE17, ′tesA.

Example 4

Production of 7-AHA in E. coli

Conversion of pimelic acid to 7-AHA requires the activity of two enzymes, CAR and ω-TAM (FIG. 1). Five plasmids were constructed to enable the testing of two different promoters and three different versions of the CAR gene (FIG. 4). These plasmids were introduced into the ΔbioF strain and strains were analysed for 7-AHA production. All the strains with the full pathway present were found to produce 7-AHA (maximum level detected 0.03 mg/L) with the identity of the 7-AHA being confirmed by LC-MS/MS comparison to an authentic standard.

As shown in FIG. 4, two different promoters were used PBAD and PT7. Three variants of the CAR gene were used, the S. rugosus CAR, the S. rugosus improved CAR (CAR-69) and the S. rotundus CAR. The negative control plasmid pCDF_T7_ωta_lysE_sfp lacks a CAR gene. Plasmids were introduced into FERM BP-4928-P2(DE3)-4 ΔbioF. Strains were cultured in chemically defined medium and were grown for 24 to 72 hours following induction. Culture supernatants were analysed by LC-MS for 7-AHA. Titres of 7-AHA indicate the highest titre observed for each strain.

Example 5

Enzyme Activity of ω-Transaminase Using Pimelate Semialdehyde as Substrate and Forming 7-Aminoheptanoate

A sequence encoding an N-terminal His-tag was added to the genes from Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas syringae, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, and Vibrio Fluvialis encoding the ω-transaminases of SEQ ID NOs: 8, 10, 11 and 13, respectively (see FIGS. 9C and 9D) such that N-terminal HIS tagged ω-transaminases could be produced. Each of the resulting modified genes was cloned into a pET21a expression vector under control of the T7 promoter and each expression vector was transformed into a BL21[DE3] E. coli host. The resulting recombinant E. coli strains were cultivated at 37° C. in a 250 mL shake flask culture containing 50 mL LB media and antibiotic selection pressure, with shaking at 230 rpm. Each culture was induced overnight at 16° C. using 1 mM IPTG.

The pellet from each induced shake flask culture was harvested via centrifugation. Each pellet was resuspended and lysed via sonication. The cell debris was separated from the supernatant via centrifugation and the cell free extract was used immediately in enzyme activity assays.

Enzyme activity assays in the reverse direction (i.e., 7-aminoheptanoate to pimelate semialdehyde) were performed in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 10 mM 7-aminoheptanoate, 10 mM pyruvate and 100 μM pyridoxyl 5′ phosphate. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding cell free extract of the ω-transaminase gene product or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the 7-aminoheptanoate and incubated at 25° C. for 4 h, with shaking at 250 rpm. The formation of L-alanine from pyruvate was quantified via RP-HPLC.

Each enzyme only control without 7-aminoheptanoate demonstrated low base line conversion of pyruvate to L-alanine. See FIG. 15. The gene product of SEQ ID NO 8, SEQ ID NO 10, SEQ ID NO 11 and SEQ ID NO 13 accepted 7-aminoheptanote as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control. See FIG. 16.

Enzyme activity in the forward direction (i.e., pimelate semialdehyde to 7-aminoheptanoate) was confirmed for the transaminases of SEQ ID NO 10, SEQ ID NO 11 and SEQ ID NO 13. Enzyme activity assays were performed in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 10 mM pimelate semialdehyde, 10 mM L-alanine and 100 μM pyridoxyl 5′ phosphate. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding a cell free extract of the ω-transaminase gene product or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the pimelate semialdehyde and incubated at 25° C. for 4 h, with shaking at 250 rpm. The formation of pyruvate was quantified via RP-HPLC.

The gene product of SEQ ID NO 10, SEQ ID NO 11 and SEQ ID NO 13 accepted pimelate semialdehyde as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control. See FIG. 17. The reversibility of the ω-transaminase activity was confirmed, demonstrating that the ω-transaminases of SEQ ID NO 8, SEQ ID NO 10, SEQ ID NO 11, and SEQ ID NO 13 accepted pimelate semialdehyde as substrate and synthesized 7-aminoheptanoate as a reaction product.

Example 6

Enzyme Activity of Carboxylate Reductase Using Pimelate as Substrate and Forming Pimelate Semialdehyde

A sequence encoding a HIS-tag was added to the genes from Segniliparus rugosus and Segniliparus rotundus that encode the carboxylate reductases of SEQ ID NOs: 4 and 7, respectively (see FIGS. 9B and 9C), such that N-terminal HIS tagged carboxylate reductases could be produced. Each of the modified genes was cloned into a pET Duet expression vector along with a sfp gene encoding a HIS-tagged phosphopantetheine transferase from Bacillus subtilis, both under the T7 promoter. Each expression vector was transformed into a BL21[DE3] E. coli host and the resulting recombinant E. coli strains were cultivated at 37° C. in a 250 mL shake flask culture containing 50 mL LB media and antibiotic selection pressure, with shaking at 230 rpm. Each culture was induced overnight at 37° C. using an auto-induction media.

The pellet from each induced shake flask culture was harvested via centrifugation. Each pellet was resuspended and lysed via sonication, and the cell debris was separated from the supernatant via centrifugation. The carboxylate reductases and phosphopantetheine transferases were purified from the supernatant using Ni-affinity chromatography, diluted 10-fold into 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), and concentrated via ultrafiltration.

Enzyme activity assays (i.e., from pimelate to pimelate semialdehyde) were performed in triplicate in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 2 mM pimelate, 10 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM ATP and 1 mM NADPH. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding purified carboxylate reductase and phosphopantetheine transferase gene products or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the pimelate and then incubated at room temperature for 20 min. The consumption of NADPH was monitored by absorbance at 340 nm. Each enzyme only control without pimelate demonstrated low base line consumption of NADPH. See FIG. 10.

The gene products of SEQ ID NO 4 and SEQ ID NO 7, enhanced by the gene product of sfp, accepted pimelate as substrate, as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 11), and synthesized pimelate semialdehyde.

Example 7

Enzyme Activity of Carboxylate Reductase Using 7-Hydroxyheptanoate as Substrate and Forming 7-Hydroxyheptanal

A sequence encoding a His-tag was added to the genes from Mycobacterium marinum, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Segniliparus rugosus, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium massiliense, and Segniliparus rotundus that encode the carboxylate reductases of SEQ ID NOs: 2-7—respectively (see FIGS. 9A-9C) such that N-terminal HIS tagged carboxylate reductases could be produced. Each of the modified genes was cloned into a pET Duet expression vector alongside a sfp gene encoding a His-tagged phosphopantetheine transferase from Bacillus subtilis, both under control of the T7 promoter.

Each expression vector was transformed into a BL21[DE3] E. coli host and the resulting recombinant E. coli strains were cultivated at 37° C. in a 250 mL shake flask culture containing 50 mL LB media and antibiotic selection pressure, with shaking at 230 rpm. Each culture was induced overnight at 37° C. using an auto-induction media.

The pellet from each induced shake flask culture was harvested via centrifugation. Each pellet was resuspended and lysed via sonication. The cell debris was separated from the supernatant via centrifugation. The carboxylate reductases and phosphopantetheine transferase were purified from the supernatant using Ni-affinity chromatography, diluted 10-fold into 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5) and concentrated via ultrafiltration.

Enzyme activity (i.e., 7-hydroxyheptanoate to 7-hydroxyheptanal) assays were performed in triplicate in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 2 mM 7-hydroxyheptanal, 10 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM ATP, and 1 mM NADPH. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding purified carboxylate reductase and phosphopantetheine transferase or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the 7-hydroxyheptanoate and then incubated at room temperature for 20 min. The consumption of NADPH was monitored by absorbance at 340 nm. Each enzyme only control without 7-hydroxyheptanoate demonstrated low base line consumption of NADPH. See FIG. 10.

The gene products of SEQ ID NO 2-7, enhanced by the gene product of sfp, accepted 7-hydroxyheptanoate as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 12), and synthesized 7-hydroxyheptanal.

Example 8

Enzyme Activity of ω-Transaminase for 7-Aminoheptanol, Forming 7-Oxoheptanol

A nucleotide sequence encoding an N-terminal His-tag was added to the Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas syringae and Rhodobacter sphaeroides genes encoding the ω-transaminases of SEQ ID NOs: 8, 10 and 11, respectively (see FIG. 9C) such that N-terminal HIS tagged ω-transaminases could be produced. The modified genes were cloned into a pET21a expression vector under the T7 promoter. Each expression vector was transformed into a BL21[DE3] E. coli host. Each resulting recombinant E. coli strain were cultivated at 37° C. in a 250 mL shake flask culture containing 50 mL LB media and antibiotic selection pressure, with shaking at 230 rpm. Each culture was induced overnight at 16° C. using 1 mM IPTG.

The pellet from each induced shake flask culture was harvested via centrifugation. Each pellet was resuspended and lysed via sonication. The cell debris was separated from the supernatant via centrifugation and the cell free extract was used immediately in enzyme activity assays.

Enzyme activity assays in the reverse direction (i.e., 7-aminoheptanol to 7-oxoheptanol) were performed in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 10 mM 7-aminoheptanol, 10 mM pyruvate, and 100 μM pyridoxyl 5′ phosphate. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding cell free extract of the ω-transaminase gene product or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the 7-aminoheptanol and then incubated at 25° C. for 4 h, with shaking at 250 rpm. The formation of L-alanine was quantified via RP-HPLC.

Each enzyme only control without 7-aminoheptanol had low base line conversion of pyruvate to L-alanine. See FIG. 15.

The gene products of SEQ ID NO 8, 10 & 11 accepted 7-aminoheptanol as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 20) and synthesized 7-oxoheptanol as reaction product. Given the reversibility of the ω-transaminase activity (see Example 2), it can be concluded that the gene products of SEQ ID 8, 10 & 11 accept 7-oxoheptanol as substrate and form 7-aminoheptanol.

Example 9

Enzyme Activity of ω-Transaminase Using Heptamethylenediamine as Substrate and Forming 7-Aminoheptanal

A sequence encoding an N-terminal His-tag was added to the Chromobacterium violaceum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Pseudomonas syringae, Rhodobacter sphaeroides, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio fluvialis genes encoding the ω-transaminases of SEQ ID NOs: 8-13, respectively (see FIGS. 9C and 9D) such that N-terminal HIS tagged ω-transaminases could be produced. The modified genes were cloned into a pET21a expression vector under the T7 promoter. Each expression vector was transformed into a BL21[DE3] E. coli host. Each resulting recombinant E. coli strain were cultivated at 37° C. in a 250 mL shake flask culture containing 50 mL LB media and antibiotic selection pressure, with shaking at 230 rpm. Each culture was induced overnight at 16° C. using 1 mM IPTG.

The pellet from each induced shake flask culture was harvested via centrifugation. Each pellet was resuspended and lysed via sonication. The cell debris was separated from the supernatant via centrifugation and the cell free extract was used immediately in enzyme activity assays.

Enzyme activity assays in the reverse direction (i.e., heptamethylenediamine to 7-aminoheptanal) were performed in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 10 mM heptamethylenediamine, 10 mM pyruvate, and 100 pyridoxyl 5′ phosphate. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding cell free extract of the ω-transaminase gene product or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the heptamethylenediamine and then incubated at 25° C. for 4 h, with shaking at 250 rpm. The formation of L-alanine was quantified via RP-HPLC.

Each enzyme only control without heptamethylenediamine had low base line conversion of pyruvate to L-alanine. See FIG. 15.

The gene products of SEQ ID NO 8-13 accepted heptamethylenediamine as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 18) and synthesized 7-aminoheptanal as reaction product. Given the reversibility of the ω-transaminase activity (see Example 5), it can be concluded that the gene products of SEQ ID 8-13 accept 7-aminoheptanal as substrate and form heptamethylenediamine.

Example 10

Enzyme Activity of Carboxylate Reductase for N7-Acetyl-7-Aminoheptanoate, Forming N7-Acetyl-7-Aminoheptanal

The activity of each of the N-terminal His-tagged carboxylate reductases of SEQ ID NOs: 3, 6, and 7 (see Examples 7, and FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C) for converting N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate to N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal was assayed in triplicate in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 2 mM N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate, 10 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM ATP, and 1 mM NADPH. The assays were initiated by adding purified carboxylate reductase and phosphopantetheine transferase or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate then incubated at room temperature for 20 min. The consumption of NADPH was monitored by absorbance at 340 nm. Each enzyme only control without N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate demonstrated low base line consumption of NADPH. See FIG. 10.

The gene products of SEQ ID NO 3, 6, and 7, enhanced by the gene product of sfp, accepted N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanoate as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 13), and synthesized N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal.

Example 11

Enzyme Activity of ω-Transaminase Using N7-Acetyl-1,7-Diaminoheptane, and Forming N7-Acetyl-7-Aminoheptanal

The activity of the N-terminal His-tagged ω-transaminases of SEQ ID NOs: 8-13 (see Example 9, and FIGS. 9C and 9D) for converting N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane to N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal was assayed using a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 10 mM N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane, 10 mM pyruvate and 100 μM pyridoxyl 5′ phosphate. Each enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding a cell free extract of the ω-transaminase or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane then incubated at 25° C. for 4 h, with shaking at 250 rpm. The formation of L-alanine was quantified via RP-HPLC.

Each enzyme only control without N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane demonstrated low base line conversion of pyruvate to L-alanine. See FIG. 15.

The gene product of SEQ ID NO 8-13 accepted N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 19) and synthesized N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal as reaction product.

Given the reversibility of the ω-transaminase activity (see example 2), the gene products of SEQ ID 8-13 accept N7-acetyl-7-aminoheptanal as substrate forming N7-acetyl-1,7-diaminoheptane.

Example 12

Enzyme Activity of Carboxylate Reductase Using Pimelate Semialdehyde as Substrate and Forming Heptanedial

The N-terminal His-tagged carboxylate reductase of SEQ ID NO 7 (see Example 7 and FIG. 9C) was assayed using pimelate semialdehyde as substrate. The enzyme activity assay was performed in triplicate in a buffer composed of a final concentration of 50 mM HEPES buffer (pH=7.5), 2 mM pimelate semialdehyde, 10 mM MgCl₂, 1 mM ATP and 1 mM NADPH. The enzyme activity assay reaction was initiated by adding purified carboxylate reductase and phosphopantetheine transferase or the empty vector control to the assay buffer containing the pimelate semialdehyde and then incubated at room temperature for 20 min. The consumption of NADPH was monitored by absorbance at 340 nm. The enzyme only control without pimelate semialdehyde demonstrated low base line consumption of NADPH. See FIG. 10.

The gene product of SEQ ID NO 7, enhanced by the gene product of sfp, accepted pimelate semialdehyde as substrate as confirmed against the empty vector control (see FIG. 14) and synthesized heptanedial.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for regulating biosynthesis of at least one C7 building block chosen from pimelic acid, 7-aminoheptanoate, 7-hydroxyheptanoate, heptamethylenediamine, 7-aminoheptanol, and 1,7-heptanediol in a recombinant host using a pathway having a pimeloyl-ACP intermediate, said method comprising: deleting the activity of an ACP-dependent BioF enzyme; overexpressing a BioW enzyme and a CoA-specific BioF enzyme, wherein: the BioW enzyme is a pimeloyl-CoA ligase having at least 85% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 18; and the CoA-specific BioF enzyme is an 8-amino-7-oxononanoate synthase having at least 85% sequence identity or homology to the amino acid sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO: 19; and wherein the recombinant host is a prokaryote chosen from the genera Escherichia, Clostridia, Corynebacteria, Cupriavidus, Pseudomonas, Delftia, Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, and Rhodococcus or the recombinant host is a eukaryote chosen from the genera Aspergillus, Saccharomyces, Pichia, Yarrowia, Issatchenkia, Debaryomyces, Arxula, and Kluyveromyces; and wherein the deletion of the activity of an ACP-dependent BioF enzyme occurs through a knockout of the BioF gene.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: said BioW enzyme enzymatically converts pimelic acid to pimeloyl-CoA; or said CoA-specific BioF enzyme enzymatically converts pimeloyl-CoA to 8-amino-7-oxo-nonanoic acid.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said pathway comprises: enzymatically synthesizing a C7 aliphatic backbone from malonyl-ACP via two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation; and enzymatically forming two terminal functional groups in said backbone, thereby forming the C7 building block.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein: a S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM)-dependent methyltransferase converts malonyl-ACP to malonyl-ACP methyl ester; and said two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation produce pimeloyl-ACP methyl ester from malonyl-ACP methyl ester using a trans-2-enoyl-CoA reductase.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein each of said two cycles of methyl-ester shielded carbon chain elongation comprises using (i) a β-ketoacyl-ACP synthase, (ii) a 3-oxoacyl-ACP reductase, (iii) a 3-hydroxyacyl-ACP dehydratase, and (iv) an enoyl-ACP reductase.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein: a hydroxyl terminal group is enzymatically formed by a 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase, a 5-hydroxypentanoate dehydrogenase, a 4-hydroxybutyrate dehydratase, or an alcohol dehydrogenase; a carboxyl terminal group is enzymatically formed by a thioesterase, an aldehyde dehydrogenase, a 7-oxoheptanoate dehydrogenase, a 6-oxohexanoate dehydrogenase, a glutaconate CoA-transferase, or a reversible succinyl-CoA ligase; or an amine terminal group is enzymatically formed by a ω-transaminase or a deacetylase.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein an intermediate with a terminal aldehyde group is formed by a carboxylate reductase and enhanced by a phosphopantetheinyl transferase during the biosynthesis of said at least one C7 building block.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is performed in said recombinant host by fermentation.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein: said recombinant host is subjected to a cultivation condition under aerobic, anaerobic, micro-aerobic or mixed oxygen/denitrification cultivation conditions; said recombinant host is cultured under conditions of nutrient limitation; said recombinant host is retained using a ceramic hollow fiber membrane to maintain a high cell density during fermentation; or said recombinant host's tolerance to high concentrations of the at least one C7 building block is improved through continuous cultivation in a selective environment.
 10. The method of claim 8, wherein: the principal carbon source fed to the fermentation is a biological feedstock that is, or derives from, at least one feedstock chosen from monosaccharides, disaccharides, lignocellulose, hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin, levulinic acid, formic acid, triglycerides, glycerol, fatty acids, agricultural waste, condensed distillers' solubles, and municipal waste; or the principal carbon source fed to the fermentation is a non-biological feedstock that is, or derives from, at least one feedstock chosen from natural gas, syngas, CO₂/H₂, methanol, ethanol, benzoate, non-volatile residue (NVR) caustic wash waste stream from cyclohexane oxidation processes, and terephthalic acid/isophthalic acid mixture waste streams.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein: said prokaryote is Escherichia coli, Clostridium ljungdahlii, Clostridium autoethanogenum, Clostridium kluyveri, Corynebacterium glutamicum, Cupriavidus necator, Cupriavidus metallidurans, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas oleavorans, Delftia acidovorans, Bacillus subtillis, Lactobacillus delbrueckii, or Lactococcus lactis; said eukaryote is Aspergillus niger, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Pichia pastoris, Yarrowia lipolytica, Issathenkia orientalis, Debaryomyces hansenii, Arxula adenoinivorans, or Kluyveromyces lactis.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the knockout of the BioF gene occurs through homologous recombination. 